THE SUBLIME MOMENT / LARGE ASHTRAY

1971
Bronze, Fonderie Fusions, 2006-2007
37.5 x 37.5 x 35 cm

On the right side of the ashtray: Salvador Dalí’s signature and numbering 1/8 to 8/8 & EA IV/IV. On the platform of the sculpture: stamp from La Fonderie Fusions.
This Sublime Moment/Large ashtray was taken from a Salvador Dalí painting by the same name.
A black and white photograph was taken, that Dalí reworked, eliminating the contour of the ashtray using « Tippex » and drawing patterns over it that are not found in the painting.
Then a model was made by Dalí and his moulder, Michel Lorenzi; this model was remitted to Mr. Leinekugel to whom Dalí sold the rights to this sculpture, in a contract concluded in 1971.
No original or multiple casting was done during Dalí’s lifetime.
400 multiple sculptures (in mass-coloured resin, Gillette blade, snail shell) were made measuring 29 x 31 x 29. Michel Lorenzi moulded the multiple cast to be identical to the first model for QuArt.