The legendary Spanish surrealist Salvador Dalí’s largest painting ever created—Bacchanale—is set to headline Bonhams’ annual spring auction of surrealist art in Paris later this month. The work, estimated to sell for between €200,000 and €300,000, comes from a major private collection.
A Monumental Stage Design
Created with meticulous care in 1939, Bacchanale was originally conceived as the stage set for the ballet of the same name at New York’s Metropolitan Opera. Dalí himself dubbed the ambitious project his first “paranoiac-critical ballet,” integrating his full artistic vision into one cohesive work: he wrote the libretto, designed the costumes, and painted the monumental backdrop.
The ballet attracted international attention, drawing collaborators including choreographer Léonide Massine and fashion icon Coco Chanel, who jointly designed the costumes and accessories.
An Immersive Surrealist Vision
The artwork itself is a staggering ensemble of 13 large-scale pieces—including a massive scenic backdrop and four sets of canvas panels—spanning over 20 by 30 meters in total. Painted with near-photographic precision, it incorporates three-dimensional elements and signature Dalí motifs.
At its center stands the ‘Mount of Venus,’ draped with a giant swan—a symbol of sin and desire. Dalí personally oversaw key details of the set design, weaving in imaginative flourishes such as an anonymous reclining female figure—a motif also seen in his 1939 painting L’Énigme sans fin.
A Surrealist Highlight in Paris
“For the fourth year running, Bonhams celebrates the captivating world of surrealism with a dedicated spring auction in Paris,” said Émilie Mignon, Head of Impressionist & Modern Art at Bonhams Paris. “We are delighted to offer Bacchanale—a stage set, yes, but above all, the largest painting Salvador Dalí ever created for the Metropolitan Opera: an invaluable fantasy made tangible for every collector.”