Lost Salvador Dalí Painting Discovered in Cambridge Clears £45,700 at Auction

A mixed-media artwork by Salvador Dali titled Vecchio Sultano, initially purchased for £150 during a house clearance in Cambridge, has been authenticated and sold at auction for approximately £45,700 to £47,700. This piece, part of a planned series of 500 works illustrating Middle Eastern folktales commissioned by the Italian Albaretto family in 1966, is notable as Dali only completed 100 of these, with half remaining with the publishers Rizzoli and the other half with the family. The painting's rediscovery and authentication highlight its rarity, as Dali originals seldom appear on the market, and it shows a distinct aspect of his work in watercolour. The auction garnered significant attention, reflecting the importance of the piece within Dali's oeuvre and its historical context. The buyer, an antiques and art dealer who remains anonymous, expressed excitement over the painting finally receiving the recognition it deserves. This sale underscores the continuing fascination and high value placed on rediscovered works by major surrealist artists like Dali.