Artwork
Maternité
Maternité is a drawing by Salvador Dalí. It dates from 1923 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Maternité is a pen‑and‑ink drawing with wash executed in 1923 by the artist Salvado. The work bears the artist’s signature and measures the intimate scene of a reclining female figure. Its tonal range is dominated by dark hues that contrast with a lighter background, creating a subdued atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a woman lying on her side, her head supported by her left arm and her right arm curled around her abdomen. Her gaze is turned away from the viewer, and her dark, curly hair frames a profile that suggests quiet introspection, inviting contemplation of maternal repose.
Technique & Style
Salvado employs pen lines combined with ink wash, using cross‑hatching to build volume and texture across the figure. The interplay of dense dark strokes against softer washes defines the contours of the body and hair, while the lighter background enhances the depth of the central figure.
History & Provenance
Created in the early 1920s, the drawing reflects Salvado’s practice during that period. The piece is signed, confirming authorship, and has remained within private collections since its completion, with no record of exhibition beyond occasional scholarly references.
Artist & collection
Artist
Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech, Marquess of Dalí de Púbol (11 May 1904 – 23 January 1989), known as Salvador Dalí, was a Spanish surrealist artist renowned for his technical skill, precise…
