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Lot Essay
Nicolas and Olivier Descharnes have confirmed the authenticity of this work.
Executed in 1969, Sirène is one of a series of works by Salvador Dalí that was inspired by Homer’s Odyssey. Throughout his career, Dalí looked to literature, history and mythology for inspiration, reinterpreting these stories and themes and envisaging them in his own highly unique style. He created a number of series of watercolours and drawings inspired by a range of classical works of literature, from Dante’s Divine Comedy, to Cervantes’ Don Quixote.
Narrating Ulysses’ ten-year long journey back to Ithaca, which was filled with dangers, gods and goddesses, fantastical creatures and heroic deeds, the Odyssey provided a rich source of imagery to a wide variety of artists throughout the ages, and Dalí was no exception. In Sirène, Dalí has illustrated the seductive figure of the siren. Luring sailors to their island and thus to their doom with their seductive singing, the siren is an alluring yet dangerous female character from Greek mythology. These sea nymphs are most famously described in the Odyssey, when Ulysses encounters a pair of sirens when he passes their island on his voyage home. In order to avoid becoming enchanted by their voices, Ulysses tells his companions to block their ears with wax.
Intrigued by the power of the sirens’ beguiling music however, Ulysses instead asks to be tied to the mast of the ship so to avoid becoming entranced. Falling under the spell of their music, Ulysses begs to be released. His crew, however, respond by tightening the ropes and they pass the sirens unharmed. Ulysses’ boat is visible in Sirène, viewed through an arch painted with thick impasto over which the charcoal impression of a nude woman floats. The seascape is said to be reminiscent of Port Lligat, where Dalí was born.
Executed in 1969, Sirène is one of a series of works by Salvador Dalí that was inspired by Homer’s Odyssey. Throughout his career, Dalí looked to literature, history and mythology for inspiration, reinterpreting these stories and themes and envisaging them in his own highly unique style. He created a number of series of watercolours and drawings inspired by a range of classical works of literature, from Dante’s Divine Comedy, to Cervantes’ Don Quixote.
Narrating Ulysses’ ten-year long journey back to Ithaca, which was filled with dangers, gods and goddesses, fantastical creatures and heroic deeds, the Odyssey provided a rich source of imagery to a wide variety of artists throughout the ages, and Dalí was no exception. In Sirène, Dalí has illustrated the seductive figure of the siren. Luring sailors to their island and thus to their doom with their seductive singing, the siren is an alluring yet dangerous female character from Greek mythology. These sea nymphs are most famously described in the Odyssey, when Ulysses encounters a pair of sirens when he passes their island on his voyage home. In order to avoid becoming enchanted by their voices, Ulysses tells his companions to block their ears with wax.
Intrigued by the power of the sirens’ beguiling music however, Ulysses instead asks to be tied to the mast of the ship so to avoid becoming entranced. Falling under the spell of their music, Ulysses begs to be released. His crew, however, respond by tightening the ropes and they pass the sirens unharmed. Ulysses’ boat is visible in Sirène, viewed through an arch painted with thick impasto over which the charcoal impression of a nude woman floats. The seascape is said to be reminiscent of Port Lligat, where Dalí was born.