| The Biblia Sacra was published in 1969 by Rizzoli of Rome. - SIGNATURE : printed in the image - SIZE : 19 x 13 3/4" or 48.26x34.93cm - REFERENCES : Michler and Lopsinger 1600, Field 69-3 - CONDITION : Excellent. New. Original. This is an illustrated book of the Bible in Vulgate. The Biblia Sacra was published in 1969 by Rizzoli of Rome. The lithographs are on a heavy paper and are signed in the plate. The Biblia Sacra lithographs were produced as illustrations for a new edition of the Bible. The Biblia Sacra suite consists of 105 color mixed-technique lithographs after 105 watercolor paintings created by Dali between 1963 and 1964. The Biblia Sacra works are a combination of offset lithography, continuous tone lithography, serigraphy (silkscreening) with application of varnishes and metallic inks. The works were “printed” on a heavy stock designed specifically to hold up to the various techniques used. Quality craftsmanship and artistry are evident in every Biblia Sacra work. The unique combination of multiple printing techniques gives these illustrations a richness and depth that resulted in works that are exceptionally true to the original paintings. Creator: Salvador Dalí (1904 - 1989, Spanish) |
BIBLIA SACRA 74
$4,750.00Price
Those are words that appear in the Book of Daniel, specifically in Daniel 5:25-28, during the story of Belshazzar's feast. These words are part of a divine message written on the wall of the palace during the feast, which was interpreted by the prophet Daniel. The inscription on the wall was a warning from God to the Babylonian king, Belshazzar, about his impending downfall.
Biblical Passage: Daniel 5:25-28 (KJV)
"And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians."
Meaning of the Words:
The word "Mene" is derived from the Hebrew root "menah", meaning "to number" or "to count." It signifies that God has numbered the days of Belshazzar's reign and that the kingdom has come to an end. The repetition of "Mene" (written twice) emphasizes the certainty and imminence of the judgment.
The word "Tekel" means "to weigh" in Hebrew. The phrase "thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting" means that Belshazzar's actions, particularly his pride, blasphemy, and wickedness, have been weighed by God and found lacking. His moral and spiritual inadequacy is the reason for his downfall.
"Parsin" is a form of the word "Peres", which means "divided" or "to separate." It indicates that Belshazzar's kingdom would be divided and given over to the Medes and Persians. The kingdom of Babylon would fall, and its territories would be overtaken by a new empire.
Dalí’s Interpretation in Sacra Biblia
In Dalí’s surrealist interpretation, the writing on the wall would be depicted as divine, otherworldly symbols floating in a cosmic, dreamlike space. The words would represent the counting down of Belshazzar’s reign, his moral failure, and the division of his empire. The king’s downfall would be symbolized by distorted structures, crumbling landscapes, and abstract forms, reflecting the collapse of the Babylonian Empire. Dalí would use his trademark surreal imagery to explore the themes of divine judgment, the finality of fate, and the inevitability of the fall of empires.