Salvador Dalí's Largest Ever Painting Heads to Auction

The monumental stage set for the Surrealist ballet 'Bacchanale' will lead Bonhams's annual Surrealism sale in Paris.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 11:04pm

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A massive 65-by-100-foot stage set designed by Salvador Dalí for the 1939 Surrealist ballet 'Bacchanale' will be auctioned off at Bonhams in Paris on March 26. The work, which comes from a private collection, is estimated to fetch between €200,000 and €300,000 ($236,000 to $350,000).

Why it matters

Dalí is one of the most famous Surrealist artists, and this set represents a lesser-known aspect of his artistic output. The ballet 'Bacchanale' was a collaborative Surrealist production that also involved choreographer Léonide Massine, fashion designer Coco Chanel, and scenographer Prince Alexandre Schervachidze.

The details

Dalí designed the 13-panel set, which features a central image of Mount Venus and the Ampurdan Plain near his birthplace in Spain, as well as a distant temple seen in Raphael's painting 'The Marriage of the Virgin.' The ballet had its premiere at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1939, though Dalí was unable to attend due to the war in Europe.

  • The ballet 'Bacchanale' premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in November 1939.
  • The Bonhams auction featuring Dalí's set will take place on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

The players

Salvador Dalí

A renowned Surrealist artist best known for his hyperrealist paintings and fetishistic objects.

Léonide Massine

The choreographer and director of the Ballets Russes who collaborated with Dalí on 'Bacchanale.'

Coco Chanel

The fashion designer who designed some of the costumes and accessories for 'Bacchanale.'

Prince Alexandre Schervachidze

The legendary scenographer for the Ballets Russes who oversaw the production of Dalí's set at the company's workshop in Monte Carlo.

André Breton

The founder of Surrealism, who was irritated by Dalí's status as the artist most synonymous with the movement in the public imagination.

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What’s next

The Bonhams auction featuring Dalí's set will take place on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

The takeaway

This auction highlights Dalí's versatility as an artist, showcasing his work beyond his iconic Surrealist paintings. The collaborative nature of the 'Bacchanale' ballet also demonstrates the rich cross-pollination of disciplines within the Surrealist movement.