Hercules Subduing the Hydra, 1978
Fine Art Drawings : gouache, ballpoint pen · 38.3 x 56 x 0.1 cm 15.1 x 22 x 0 inch · Ready to hang
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About the artwork
Type
Fine Art Drawings : Unique artwork
Condition
Artwork sold in perfect condition, framed, ready to hang
Authenticity
Sold with certificate of Authenticity from N.Descharnes
Invoice from the gallery
Signature
Hand-signed by artist
Technique & Support
gouache , ballpoint pen on paper
Dimensions ( cm • inch )
38.3 x 56 x 0.1 cm 15.1 x 22 x 0 inch Height x Width x Depth
Artwork dimensions including frame
68 x 86 x 5 cm 26.8 x 33.9 x 2 inch
Sold by
Art gallery
Credentials
Vetted seller since 2025 • Top Seller
Description
Gouache and ballpoint pen from 1978.
Hand signed.
This work is accompanied by a certificate issued by N.Descharnes.
The work is in Excellent condition.
Fast and secure shipment.
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This expressive work by Salvador Dalí originates from the artist's landmark publication Babaouo. Abrégé d'une histoire critique du cinéma (Paris, Centre Culturel de Paris, 1978), produced at a pivotal moment in Dalí's late career. Executed in gouache and blue ballpoint pen, Hercules Subduing the Hydra combines classical mythology with personal dedication and historical circumstance, transforming the ancient myth into a contemporary allegory.
The composition portrays Hercules—also known as Herakles—locked in combat with the multi-headed Hydra of Lerna, a creature traditionally symbolizing challenges that multiply when confronted. Dalí fuses this mythological narrative with portraiture: the hero bears the likeness of Daniel Abadie, the eminent French art historian and curator. Abadie was responsible for organizing Dalí's major retrospective at the Centre Pompidou in Paris in 1979–1980, an exhibition surrounded by extraordinary institutional and political difficulties, including a last-minute strike that threatened its opening. In this context, the Hydra becomes a metaphor for the many obstacles Abadie faced, while Hercules embodies perseverance, intellect, and resolve.
Dalí's characteristic line—fluid, incisive, and theatrical—is heightened by the interplay between drawing and colour. The use of blue ballpoint pen, a medium frequently employed by Dalí in his later works, introduces spontaneity and intimacy, reinforcing the personal nature of the dedication. The gouache adds chromatic emphasis and sculptural depth, while the mythological references—echoes of both Hercules and Perseus—situate the work within Dalí's enduring fascination with classical antiquity, heroism, and symbolic transformation.
Beyond its visual power, Hercules Subduing the Hydra stands as a historical document: a tribute from Dalí to a key figure in shaping his late public legacy. It reflects the artist's ability to merge myth, biography, and current events into a single, multilayered image. The result is a work that is at once personal, allegorical, and emblematic of Dalí's late-period synthesis of mythological grandeur and contemporary relevance.
Presentation
Salvador Dalí (1904–1989) remains one of the most influential figures in the art world, celebrated for his surrealist works that have captivated collectors and art lovers globally. His innovative approach to abstraction, vivid imagination, and technical skill have earned him a permanent place in art history. Dalí's surrealist masterpieces, featuring dreamlike landscapes and symbolic imagery, continue to be among the most sought-after works in the contemporary art market.
In 2024, Dalí's legacy was highlighted through major exhibitions and events. The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, hosted a groundbreaking immersive experience, offering visitors a deeper understanding of Dalí's artistic genius. Additionally, the Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center in Tennessee presented an exhibition of Dalí's powerful illustrations for Dante's Divine Comedy, showcasing his ability to evoke profound emotion and surreal visions through his artwork.
Dalí's works continue to perform exceptionally well in the auction world. His painting Rose Méditative (1958) sold for over $4 million at a Sotheby's auction in Paris in November 2024, significantly surpassing its estimate, further solidifying his appeal to art collectors and investors. Dalí's pieces consistently command impressive prices at major auctions, reinforcing his status as one of the most valuable artists on the market.
Born in Figueres, Spain, Dalí was initially influenced by Impressionism and Cubism before encountering Surrealism in the late 1920s. Inspired by Sigmund Freud's theories on the unconscious, Dalí developed his “paranoiac-critical method," a technique that allowed him to access and depict his subconscious mind, creating some of the most iconic images in modern art. Works like The Persistence of Memory (1931) are symbols of his ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Dalí's creative talents extended beyond painting to include film, sculpture, and literature. He collaborated with Luis Buñuel on the films Un Chien Andalou (1928) and L'Âge d'Or (1930), which continue to be celebrated for their provocative, surreal imagery. Dalí also wrote The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí (1942), an autobiography that offers insights into his eccentric personality and artistic philosophy.
Dalí's works are housed in major collections worldwide, including the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Spain and the Dalí Museum in Florida. His art continues to inspire new generations of collectors, artists, and art enthusiasts, ensuring his place as one of the most beloved and significant figures in the history of modern art. With his bold, imaginative creations, Salvador Dalí's art continues to shape and inspire the art market and artistic culture globally.
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