Salvador Dalì, Brother Ogrin, the Hermit, Color Etching , 43x32 cm, 1970

An artwork part of the book Tristan and Isolde illustrated by Dalí and written by Andre Mary. One of the 21 colored etchings, this piece exhibits the hermit, Ogrin. A character who plays an essential role in the story of Tristan and Isolde. The two lovers were forced to live their lives in hardship in the forest of Morois in order to escape the wrath of King Mark, the husband of Isolde. The lovers realized that their passion was not worth the pain and misery, and hence instructed Ogrin to organize a dignified return to the King’s court. The artist uses few, but clean lines to depict the thin and naked hermit who is seated at the threshold of a cavern, holding a cross which symbolises redemption. The series was done in 4 editions, in English, French, Italian and German and this particular etching is part of the Italian edition. There is a die stamp (‘G.C.’) and is numbered 99/125 on the bottom left. The work is also signed by Dalí on the lower right corner.