"Mais ô belle Dionée...", c. 1976

Gouache and watercolor on cardboard

Drawing for illustration 15 of the lithographic series for the book by Ovid, L’Art d’aimer, Centre culturel de Paris (1979)
Paper Size: 10.625" x 8.25"
Signed by Dalí (Lower Left)

The Art of Love by Ovid, an introduction to the art of seduction and love, illustrated by Salvador Dalí, was published in 1979. Using examples from everyday life and mythology, Ovid set out to teach men how to seduce women. It was also aimed at women, providing advice on seduction and how to deepen a relationship. Dalí painted most of the illustrations for The Art of Love by Ovid circa 1976.

As Ovid begins his long form poem of the strongest human emotion, so does Dalí set the stage for the series he created to illustrate it. This impressive work is arguably one of his most recognizable, having been reproduced countless times. What can one say about this work, except to marvel at the swirl of colors, the grandiosity of the subject, the inspired execution? This is Dalí at the height of his mature power. The richness and detail we can perceive in this original work is far beyond what the lithographic reproduction can achieve.