Accompanied by certification of authenticity from Nicolas Descharnes (2022)

Spanish master Salvador Dali (1904-1989) grew up in the inland town of Figueras, Spain which is situated on a flat expanse known as L’ Empordà. His first art studio was situated in an unused laundry room atop their apartment building in Figueras, from which he could see the plains stretching into the distance towards the mountains which separated the plains from the Mediterranean beyond. The Dali family had a summer house in the coastal town of Cadaques on the far side of the mountains, which bore happy memories for the young artist. So, whenever he found himself in Figueras, he stared at the plains longing for his seaside retreat. While only an hour by car now, the trek took almost a full day when Dali was a child. So, it was a treat he treasured.

“My summers were wholly taken up with my body, myself and the landscape, and it was the landscape that I liked best. I, who know you so well, Salvador, know that you could not love the landscape of Cadaqués so much if in reality it was not the most beautiful landscape in the world – for it is the most beautiful landscape in the world, isn’t it?” –Salvador Dalí, The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí p.127.

Dali's "Paysage Ampurdanese" (1978) pays homage to the land of his birth, with its flat plains, rural farmers, small villages dotted with olive trees, and how travelers are visited by angels during their travels there. Heralding good tidings, their hands are raised in greeting. This work is dedicated to his friend, and secretary Enrique Sabater.