Salvador DALI (1904-1989), The Stick Stag (Deerstalker) 1974 from La Fontaine's Fable "The Deerstalker peering through the water" (French: Le Cerf se mirant dans l'eau).

Exceptional etching, on paper handmade by Moulin Richard de Bas Auvergne, commissioned by Salvador Dali; colored in watercolor with the pochoir method, dimensions: 56 x 74 cm unframed,framed 85 x 68 cm; small edition, limited to LXII pieces, presented XXXI/LXII, hand-signed in pencil by the Artist. Publisher: Atelier Rigal. Later editions by the same publisher on Japanese paper (Japon Nacer) appeared in an edition of 250 pieces. Moulin Richard de Bas Auvergne paper, has been produced since 1326 using traditional methods. Today, the paper mill is listed as a UNESCO site and still produces the same methods about 200 sheets a day for individual orders.Pochoir - work colored by hand in watercolor using a stencil (French: pochoir). This method of applying paint is mainly used for coloring graphics, as it allows the artist to make identical prints. The artist cuts out the stencil and applies it to a previously made print. It is mainly used for prints made in metal techniques, such as dry needle, aquatint,etc.References:- raisonne field catalog #74-1 - Michler and Lopsinger raisonne catalog #659Information: The featured print is part of the series "Le Bestiaire de La Fontaine" published in 1974 by Robert Mouret.Salvador Dalí, a master in many graphic techniques, created a series of 12 illustrations to Jean de La Fontaine's fairy tales entitled. "Le Bestiaire de La Fontaine Dalinisé " between 1967 and 1974, commissioned by the French publishing house Éditions de la Fontaine. Dalinisé's illustrations are an unusual combination of classic literature and Dalinisé's surreal imagination. The stag is featured in a fable by Jean de La Fontaine titled The Deer peering through the water (French: Le Cerf se mirant dans l'eau). In this fable, the deer liked his reflection in the water, stately antlers but over time began to hate his thin legs, which soon saved his life. When he was chased by wolves, his legs proved to be a lifesaver, and the deer managed to escape, which became a reason to reflect on the importance of every part of the body, even the one that does not please the owner.