A self-portrait which Salvador Dali created for one of his closest friends has sold with impressive results in Bonhams' Impressionist and Modern art auction, which was held on October 30 in London.
Autoportrait, dedie a Federico Garcia Lorca was created in 1928 for the artist's close friend Federico Garcia Lorca, the noted Spanish playwright and author. The pair had become inseparable throughout the 1920s and Lorca had even declared his love for Dali with the poem Oda a Salvador Dali.
According to Bonhams, Dali claims to have rejected Lorca's "amorous advances", though they remained close until the artist met Gala, his muse and future wife. Lorca was killed in 1936 by a firing squad during the Spanish civil war.
The self-portrait is drawn on the reverse of an invoice in pen and black ink, and is inscribed "Federico" as well as signed by Dali at the bottom. It soared past the £5,000-7,000 estimate given by the auction house, selling for £43,250 ($69,717) and achieving a 517.8% increase on estimate.
A rare, unopened copy of Lorca's 1918 Impresiones y paisajes - his first book - will auction at Bonhams London on November 13 with a £8,000 ($12,890) high estimate.
Paul Fraser Collectibles is currently offering a brilliant signed sketch from Dali, which is thought to depict his wife, Gala.
 Violette Sonne represents a transition in Ernst's work |
The top lot of the sale was Max Ernst's Violette Sonne, which brought a 124.1% increase on its £30,000 estimate, selling for £67,250 ($108,401). The work is part of a series of paintings he produced in the 1960s which demonstrate Ernst moving toward a more mystical theme in his work.
Also featuring were two drawings of women by Gustav Klimt, originating from the Goldberg Collection, which has not offered any pieces to auction since 1982. Demonstating Klimt's mastery of the female form, Standing lady from the front, with a slight twist to the left (Marie Henneberg) sold for £22,500 ($36,269) - a 25% increase on its £18,000 valuation. Following was a sketch of a nude woman in profile, which made £12,500 ($20,148).
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