Les Vins de Gala (The Wines of Gala), 1976–77 'circa'

Executed circa 1976–77. This work is accompanied by a copy of a certificate of authenticity issued and signed by Nicolas and Olivier Descharnes.

Les Vins de Gala (1976–77) is a striking collage-and-gouache composition created as the cover design for Dalí’s book of the same name. In this work, Dalí transforms a photographic print into a dreamlike vision, layering fragmented portraits of Gala within glistening grapelike spheres. Central to the composition is a reproduction of Dalí’s Galarina (1944–45), an intimate painting that captures Gala’s enigmatic presence. Metallic, embossed letters spelling out "DALI" crown the composition.

Published in 1977, Les Vins de Gala is a lavish surrealist exploration of the world’s finest wines, organized not by region but by emotional and sensory experience. It serves as a counterpart to Dalí’s earlier publication Les Dîners de Gala (1973), a hedonistic cookbook filled with extravagant recipes inspired by his passion for gastronomy. While Les Dîners de Gala indulges in the excesses of fine dining, Les Vins de Gala celebrates the alchemical magic of wine, featuring elaborate illustrations and musings on intoxication, mythology and the subconscious. The illustrations in the book exemplify Dalí’s ability to fuse personal iconography with opulent fantasy, turning even the act of drinking wine into a theatrical experience.