"The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac Full Portfolio of 13 Original Lithographs" created by Salvador Dali. In 1967, famed surrealist artist Salvador Dali illustrated a portfolio depicting the twelve signs of the zodiac: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Dali’s timing aligned with a boom in the popularity of Astrology in the late 1960s. Today, though only 25% of people believe in astrology, most people know their star sign, and many find entertainment in reading about their sign or their horoscope. In this portfolio, Dali imagined each sign in bright colors and expressive lines. Though they are a departure from his most well-known style of biomorphic and almost hyper-real dreamscapes, the depictions are uniquely Dali. The artist even swapped out the crab symbol for Cancer for a lobster, a motif he explored earlier in his artistic oeuvre. This portfolio comes with the text written by Nicolas Sokoloff. It is philosophical and often surreal itself—using unusual and expressive language and structures to describe the attributes of each sign and their classifications. It also offers comparisons and predictions for a certain person’s life as it may be influenced by the alignment of the stars and planets.

Each Lithograph is original and printed on Japon Nacre Paper. This will come with the original portfolio case, each lithograph is signed in pencil by Dali. The portfolio cover is included in the set. This portfolio, offered in full by the David Barnett Gallery, is #10 (X) out of 50 (L).

Paper Size: 28 3/4" x 20 1/2"

Case Size: 31" x 22"

The signs are classified multiple ways: in their quadruplicities (Cardinal, Steady, and Mutable), in their dominant element (Fire, Air, Water, Earth), and by their ruling planet or celestial body. Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) are characterized by newness and inspiration. Steady signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) are characterized by stability and dependability. Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) are characterized by adaptability and multiplicity. Fire signs are passionate and impulsive, Air signs are idea-driven and adventurous, Earth signs are grounded and practical, and Water signs are emotional and mysterious.

The work was published by Leon Amiel in Paris & New York in two editions—one on Arches paper and one on Japon paper. It was printed in France by Mourlot. In the portfolio, there are twelve original lithographs signed in pencil by the artist and with a lithograph frontispiece signed in the stone.

Michler and Lopsinger 1181 - 1192
Field 67 - 6