Double Microscope

(After) Salvador Dali (1904 – 1989, Spanish) “Martien Muni d'un Double Microscope Holo-électrique” (Martian Equipped with a Double Holo-Electric Microscope) from the ‘La Conquête du Cosmos’ (The Conquest of the Cosmos) Series. A limited-edition (370/4000) serigraph on a porcelain Limoges plate measuring 22.5 cm diameter (8.86 inches in diameter) manufactured by ‘Signature de France’ in 1984. The plate bears Salvador Dali’s signature in the design and on the verso is a stamp by a French Court Official attesting (in French) to the authenticity of the piece:

“Nous Huissier de justice a Limoges Certifions que cette assiette en porcelain; " Martien Muni d'un Double Microscope Holo-électrique" réalisée dans la cité de LIMOGES FRANCE est tirée limitativement à 4000 exemplaires au format 22,5cm, elle porte le n° 370 fait partie de l'oeuvre de SALVADOR DALI "La Conquête du Cosmos", est distribuée par SIGNATURE DE FRANCE.” (“Saturnian giraffe" made in the city of LIMOGES FRANCE is printed limited to 4000 copies in 22.5cm format, it bears the number 370 is part of the work of SALVADOR DALI "The Conquest of the Cosmos", is distributed by SIGNATURE DE FRANCE”)

Dali created “The Conquest of the Cosmos” portfolio consisting of twelve dry-point etchings in 1974, in a limited edition. In 1984, six of the twelve images were used to decorate plates of delicate fine porcelain. The town of Limoges, France is world famous for the quality and beauty of its porcelain. THE CONQUEST OF THE COSMOS complete suite includes six porcelain plates:
a: Le Caducée de Mars; b: Philosophe écrasé par le Cosmos; c: Dali Martien; d: Girafe Saturnienne; e: L’Unicorne Laser; f: Les Montres Gélatines

Science was a passion for Salvador Dali, and the 1957 launch of the Soviet artificial satellite into orbit led Dali to dream of the cosmic landscapes and inspired him to create the Surrealist Cosmos series. Iconic symbols of Dalinean art, such as the melted watch, crutches, the burning giraffe, butterflies, and many more, may be seen in the various images.