Photographic Paper Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Salvador Dalí 1904-1989 Spanish Seven of Swords Signed “Dalí” (lower center) Gouache on photographic background Representing a unique blend of spiritualism and Surrealism, this gouache hails from Salvador Dalí’s fascinating and highly inventive deck of custom-made tarot cards. The original commission for the design came from Albert Broccoli, the producer of the James Bond film Live and Let Die, who sought a tarot card deck to use in the film. Though the contractual deal eventually fell through, Dalí continued the project of his own accord, largely thanks to the inspiration of his wife Gala, who had an interest in mysticism. The Surrealist maestro drew upon a number of influences to complete the deck, which comprised 78 cards in total — 22 major arcana and 56 minor. His own self-portrait served as the Magician card, while his beloved wife Gala naturally posed for the Empress. Jan Gossaert’s 1516 Renaissance work Neptune and Amphitrite was the basis for the Lovers card, while the Queen of Cups card represents a fascinating marriage of Duchamp’s iconic Mona Lisa remix, L.H.O.O.Q., with a portrait of Elizabeth of Austria. The iconography of the deck is as eclectic as one would expect from the Surrealist master; it is little wonder that it took him 10 years to complete the project. The present gouache is among the original 56 minor arcana cards, this one depicting the Seven of Swords. Traditionally depicting a man appearing to sneak away from a military base with swords in hand, the Seven of Swords card is often associated with deception and strategy. When drawn upright, the card can indicate myriad scenarios: that you may be trying to get away with something, that you are being manipulated by someone else or that you should be more careful and focused. Reversed, the card suggests self-doubt or inner deceit. Dalí reimagines the traditional visual elements of this card, modeling it after a 16th-century School of Fontainebleau...

This is an exclusive handprinted unique cyanotype that takes its inspiration from the mid-century modern shapes. It's made by layering paper cutouts and different exposures using uv...

This is an exclusive handprinted unique cyanotype that takes its inspiration from the mid-century modern shapes. It's made by layering paper cutouts and different exposures using uv...

This brightly colored mixed media artwork titled "Wallflowers: Shrinking violet" is an original artwork by Han Cao made of embroidery thread and a vintage phot...

Beautiful turn of the century portrait of a young woman dressed in fashionable clothing. The portrait is framed in a decorative gold frame.

This found object painting titled "Point Reyes Lighthouse with Containers" is an original artwork by Mary Iverson made of acrylic, ink, and found photograp...