Salvador Dali Surrealist Oil on Canvas

Updated September 8, 2026

Title: Elephant, Melting Clocks, and Chessboard Technique: Oil on canvas Measures: 20 x 24 inches (50.8 x 61 cm) Year: Undated Condition: Good condition. The painted surface presents vivid coloration with clearly defined surreal figures, objects, and architectural details. Minor surface wear and handling marks consistent with age and display may be present. The canvas appears stable and display-ready, retaining its strong color contrasts and overall visual impact. Presented in an ornate reddish-brown frame showing light age-related wear. Provenance: From a private collection in Miami Beach, Florida. According to family history, the work has been held by a Spanish family established in Miami Beach since 1996. No supporting acquisition records or documentation concerning its earlier ownership accompanied the work upon consignment. This provenance reflects the history supplied when the artwork was received for cataloging. Visual Description: This imaginative Surrealist composition brings together several dreamlike motifs within a barren landscape. A long-legged elephant carries a melting clock across its body, while additional fluid timepieces float through the sky and rest upon a black-and-white chessboard. Monumental chess pieces stand opposite the elephant, including a large chalice-like form supporting an uprooted tree. Slender mannequin figures and distant mountains contribute to the scene’s theatrical sense of scale and psychological mystery. The distorted timepieces, elongated forms, chess imagery, and precise dreamlike setting recall the visual vocabulary associated with Salvador Dalí. Bears an inscription reading “Dalí” near the lower right. Additional Information: The inscription and stylistic associations are reported solely for cataloging purposes and do not independently establish authenticity or authorship by Salvador Dalí. Attribution has not been verified through documentary records, catalogue raisonné inclusion, or review by a recognized Dalí authority.This composition reflects stylistic elements commonly associated with major figures in modern and contemporary art. For additional information regarding certification, provenance, or any inquiries about this piece or other items, please don't hesitate to contact us through the HiBid platform. A secondary market exists for uncatalogued artworks like this one, which often results in lower estimated and sale prices compared to catalogued artist works. If you have any specific questions or require further assistance in understanding the value, context, or details of this artwork, we are here to help and provide any additional information you may need.

More lots in this auction

• Gustav Klimt Oil on Canvas
• Vincent van Gogh Oil on Canvas
• Jean-Michel Basquiat American Acrylic on Canvas
• Andy Warhol Large Color lithograph
• Jasper Johns American Oil on Canvas
• Vincent van Gogh Oil on Canvas
• Claude Monet French Oil on Canvas
• Vincent van Gogh Oil on Canvas

See all lots in Modern Masters & Contemporary Icons – Fine Art Auction →