The Rare Dal Portrait That Stirred Controversy

Painted by Salvador Dalí in 1925, Figura de perfil (La Hermana Ana María) is a lesser-known depiction of the artist’s sister that once stirred controversy for its provocative nature. After nearly 100 years in a private collection, the painting will go on sale for the first time in March.

Figura de perfil depicts a seated Ana María looking out a window to the Cadaqués coastline in Spain. With her back to the viewer, Ana María’s unusual positioning makes her bottom a subtle focal point – a feature reminiscent of Dalí’s less subtle painting, Young Virgin Auto-Sodomized by the Horns of Her Own Chastity (1954).

Salvador Dalí (Spanish, 1904-1989) La hermana Ana María (Painted in 1925). Courtesy of Bonhams

It’s said that Figura de perfil inspired Young Virgin Auto-Sodomized by the Horns of Her Own Chastity, as the “young virgin” bears a similar positioning to Ana María (above). Two horns on either side of the girl’s body converge to depict her buttocks, serving as an overtly sexual focal point in the latter painting.

The aesthetic similarities between Ana María and the “young virgin,” paired with Dalí’s tendency to paint Ana María from behind, called into question whether the artist harbored a level of sexual interest in his sister. It was later discovered that the girl in his 1954 painting was inspired by an image in a pornographic magazine from the 1930s, which only fueled the fire.

Salvador Dalí maintained a close relationship with Ana María for some time, particularly after their mother died from breast cancer when the artist was 16. Dalí supposedly created a substantial portfolio of works depicting Ana María, but Figura de perfil was the only one he ever gifted her. The Cadaqués coastline where they summered as children was of great significance to them both.

After the artist published intimate details of their family life in his autobiography, The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí (1942), his relationship with Ana María rapidly declined. She vengefully published Salvador Dali as Seen by his Sister (1949) in response, and gave Figura de perfil to another family with whom it remained until now. Art historians have proposed that perhaps Dalí vindictively painted Young Virgin to resemble Figura de perfil as a result of their feud.

Boasting an estimated price point between £800,000 and £1.2 million, Figura de perfil will go to auction as part of Bonhams Impressionist and Modern Art sale on March 2nd, 2017.

101 New Bond Street, London, W1S 1SR +44 20 7447 7447

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.