Latest news with #TheArabianNights
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Salvador Dalí painting bought for £150 at house clearance sale valued at £20-30,000
It is not a painting that screams it is a masterpiece by Salvador Dalí to the untrained eye. So when the unusual picture went up for auction in a house clearance sale in Cambridge two years ago, it attracted only two bidders – and sold for £150. Now, it has been valued at £20,000 to £30,000 after it was confirmed to be an illustration of an 'old sultan' that Dalí painted in 1966. Vecchio Sultano, a mixed media artwork made with watercolour paint and felt-tip, is an illustration of a scene from The Arabian Nights – one of 500 illustrations the great surrealist artist intended to create of the Middle Eastern folktales. 'Dalí was quite obsessed with Moorish culture and believed himself to be from a Moorish line,' said Gabrielle Downie, a fine art specialist at Cheffins in Cambridge, which is selling the Dalí artwork on 23 October. Dalí's patrons, Giuseppe and Mara Albaretto, commissioned the illustrations and Rizzoli, an Italian publishing house, was planning to publish them. But Dalí abandoned the project after completing just 100 of the 500 illustrations – leaving all of them unpublished. 'Of these 100 illustrations, half remained with the publishing house Rizzoli and were either damaged or lost, while the other 50 stayed with the Albarettos and were later inherited by their daughter, Christina – who was also Dalí's goddaughter,' said Downie. The 50 illustrations retained by the Albaretto family were finally published in 2014, reigniting interest in the abandoned project and raising intrigue over the whereabouts of the unpublished pieces. However, the Cambridge-based antiques dealer John Russell (not his real name), 60, was unaware of this two years ago when he snapped up Vecchio Sultano at a house clearance sale after spotting Dalí's signature in the bottom right corner. 'The auction isn't online, so you turn up, view, and whatever you see, [that] is your chance to discover a treasure,' he said. 'Most of the time, I buy stuff that I like. On this occasion, I was really taking a bit of a punt, because I wasn't sure I'd have it on the wall, to be honest … I do like some unusual art, but you'd have to love it, wouldn't you?' He was told the painting had been found in the garage of a London house and could barely contain his excitement when he saw stickers on the back, indicating it had been listed in a Sotheby's auction in the 1990s. 'I did a little bit of research and I couldn't believe what I was looking at.' Russell decided to bid for it 'on the spur of the moment', gambling on his ability to spot a fake after spending years avidly watching the BBC TV show Fake or Fortune. 'It's one of my favourite programmes.' The painting, which depicts a bejewelled sultan, did not command widespread admiration: despite being described as an original painting by Dalí, the vendors 'hadn't even listed it with a reserve [price]', he said, and 'there was no interest in the room' from other dealers Russell knew. One person bid against him during the auction – and dropped out when Russell offered £150. A few months later, via eBay in the US, he tracked down the relevant Sotheby's sale catalogue, which listed the 38cm x 29cm painting and demonstrated it had been previously identified as Dalí's work and asked Cheffins to value it. Cheffins consulted the renowned Dalí expert Nicolas Descharnes, who certified the painting as authentic. He told the Guardian the style, subject and colours of the illustration matched those of other pieces in the series, along with the quality and size of the paper. 'People expect to see very surrealist pieces by Dalí. This one is not surrealist, but it's a Dalí,' Descharnes said.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Cambridge Dali painting bought for £150 could fetch £30K
A painting by Spanish Surrealist artist Salvador Dali found in a house clearance is expected to fetch up to £30,000 - after being bought for just £ was found in a house in Cambridge and has since been authenticated as an anonymous art dealer purchased it and the mixed media piece will be up for sale at an auction in Downie, an associate at auctioneers Cheffins, said: "To handle a genuine rediscovery of a work by who is easily one of the most famous artists in the world, and the godfather of Surrealism, is a real honour." The art dealer who purchased the piece discovered it had previously been offered for sale at Sotheby's in the 1990s, fully attributed to Downie said: "The loss of an attribution is quite rare in the modern artworld making this a significant rediscovery for Dali scholars."She said: "It has been an exciting process researching and having this painting authenticated and it is a testament to the seller's significant art knowledge that he was able to spot this picture at a house clearance sale."While Dali's work is often some of the most recognisable, this is an unusual piece which shows a different side to his practice when working in watercolour." The artwork, titled Vecchio Sultano, was discovered in a Cambridge house clearance sale in image, made with watercolour paint and felt tip is an illustration of a scene from The Arabian Nights, a series of 500 pieces which Dali intended to create of Middle Eastern folktales, commissioned by wealthy Italian couple Giuseppe and Mara Downie said the couple intended to commission Dali to illustrate a bible in 1963, but upon the artist's insistence, he instead ended up illustrating scenes from 1,001 Nights - a collection of Middle Eastern is thought Dali only completed 100 of the intended 500 works before the project was abandoned."Of these 100, half remained with the publishing house Rizzoli and were either damaged or lost - the other 50 stayed with the Albarettos and were later inherited by their daughter, Christina, who was also Dali's goddaughter," said Ms Downie."It is most likely that the work in question came from the batch of 50 which were retained and later lost by the publishers."It has been certified as authentic by Dali expert Nicolas Descharnes and has a pre-sale estimate of £20,000 to £30, painting will be offered for sale by Cheffins on 23 October. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
News18
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films To Launch Arabian Nights Fantasy Universe
Last Updated: Maddock Films, led by Dinesh Vijan, is developing a fantasy trilogy inspired by The Arabian Nights, starting with Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and the "Chiranjeevi Universe". Following the success of recent projects like Stree 2 and Chhaava, Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films is now preparing to embark on two new large-scale cinematic ventures – a fantasy franchise inspired by The Arabian Nights and a mythological universe rooted in Hindu lore. These ambitious plans mark a significant leap in Maddock's storytelling approach, moving beyond horror-comedy into grander, world-building narratives. As per a report by PeepingMoon, Maddock has been quietly developing a fantasy trilogy based on The Arabian Nights for over two years. This universe will reinterpret the classic tales with an Indian sensibility, aiming to bring beloved characters and their stories to life with a fresh perspective and high production values. The trilogy will commence with Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, followed by Aladdin's Wonderful Lamp, and finally Sinbad the Sailor. Each installment is expected to blend magic, adventure, and cultural heritage, promising visuals and storytelling on a scale rarely explored in Indian cinema. The production for Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is expected to begin in 2025. Parallel to this, Maddock Films is also building what's being described as the 'Chiranjeevi Universe" – a mythological world centered on the immortal figures of Hindu epics. The universe will be launched with Mahavatar, a film starring Vicky Kaushal as Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. 'Mahavatar" will be directed by Amar Kaushik and is slated to begin filming later this year, aiming for a Christmas 2026 release. The term 'Chiranjeevi" refers to eternal beings believed to live on until the end of the Kali Yuga. Maddock intends to eventually introduce other mythological characters from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, depending on how Mahavatar performs commercially. First Published: July 23, 2025, 17:20 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
IOL News
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Canal Walk's Aladdin: a magical winter production for families
Canal Walk turns its Centre Court into a theatrical wonderland each winter, delighting audiences with heartwarming stories, rich costumes and original productions that have become a holiday tradition for thousands. Image: Loot This June, Canal Walk will once again transform its Centre Court into a dazzling theatrical wonderland, debuting a spectacular new adaptation of the beloved winter classic, Aladdin. For over 23 years, this enchanting production has captivated families in Cape Town, weaving together heartwarming stories, vibrant costumes, and unforgettable performances. As audiences prepare for yet another magical live theatre experience, this year's rendition promises to reignite the wonder and joy that have made it a cherished holiday tradition. Playing princess Jasmir is Mekiala Mathys Image: Loot Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ This year's rendition of Aladdin is set against the vibrant backdrop of ancient Baghdad, unfolding a tale of a young dreamer whose life changes forever when he discovers a magical lamp. The narrative, drawn from The Arabian Nights, is rich with themes of wit, heart, and redemption, promising an enchanting experience filled with lively music and visual splendour. Behind this delightful production is a distinguished creative team from AM Productions, spearheaded by the talents of Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Meyer, who co-wrote the original book. Meyer has also infused the show with a fresh, theatrical energy as he composed the music and lyrics. In the title role, Anzio September brings Aladdin to life, while Mekaila Mathys portrays the fearless Princess Jasmir. Onela Metuso takes centre stage as the magical Genie of the Lamp, supported by an ensemble cast whose performances are sure to delight, with flair, humour, and an abundance of creativity. This year, the production not only offers entertainment but also plays a vital role in community support. A portion of ticket and programme sales will benefit The Reach Trust, focusing on early childhood development and digital literacy for underserved Cape Town communities. 'Each ticket helps connect young children to learning opportunities,' explains Andrew Rudge, CEO of The Reach Trust. 'It's entertainment with real impact.'
Hindustan Times
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Remembering a text and reviving a cultural link
In April, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra visited Saudi Arabia for a third time since assuming office 11 years ago. During this period, India has enhanced its centuries-old ties with the Persian Gulf nations, which host the largest (25%) share of Indian expatriate population globally (about nine million), to the level of strategic cooperation. In an interview with Arab News ahead of his April visit, PM Modi emphasised the long-standing ties between India and the Arab world. He said Indians and Arabs have interacted with each other since the days of Kalila wa Dimna. Much of this interaction has centred on culture, through transmission of ideas and translations of texts. The PM did not elaborate on Kalila wa Dimna; nor did Arab News add a parenthesis, for it has been among the most popular books in the Arab world since Ibn Muqaffa compiled it in the 8th century from Panchatantra for philosophers to benefit from the wisdom of the Indian classic. Panchatantra reached the rest of the world as a celebrated treatise on governance tutelage through its Arabic translation. Novelist Salman Rushdie has argued that Alf Laylah wa Laylah (The Arabian Nights/One Thousand and One Nights) also has probable Indian origin. The Arabian Nights, the Arab world's biggest contribution to literature, has influenced storytelling and inspired writers globally for centuries. In a May 2021 New York Times piece, Rushdie cited scraps of information and wrote that The Arabian Nights stories first found their way into Persian somewhere around the 8th century Indian texts were of great interest during what is regarded as the Islamic Golden Age, when Arabs preserved and transformed the lost Graeco-Roman philosophical and scientific knowledge. In 771, the Abbasid ruler Al-Mansur commissioned translations of Indian texts into Arabic, when Baghdad's centrality to scholarship and trade drew people to the city. Baghdad had an Indian quarter apart from Jewish and Christian suburbs, Greek, Chinese, and Armenian quarters by the 9th century. The milieu facilitated the exchange of pivotal ideas. An Indian text in the 8th century introduced nine numerals and zero to Arabs and helped develop the decimal system. Polymath al-Khwarizmi, who invented the algorithm concept, built on these ideas in Baghdad and created what is known as 'the Arab hegemony' in mathematics. The new system of numerals reached Europe via the Arab world. The Europeans called them Arab numerals, while Arabs rightly refer to them as the Indian numerals or Hindsa. The Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kerala, among the oldest mosques in the subcontinent, has stood as a symbol of deep India-Arab ties for centuries. Chera emperor Cheraman Perumal, the story goes, travelled to Mecca after Arab traders told him that the miracle of the moon splitting, which he saw in his dream or from his palace, was associated with Prophet Muhammad. The legend is that, in the 7th century, a friend of Perumal built the Cheraman Juma Masjid after he died in the Arab peninsula. In modern times, India continues to be part of the Arab world's social fabric, thanks to the expatriates in the region. Their remittances have enhanced living standards in states such as Kerala. Six Indians in the UAE were on Forbes' India's 100 Richest List in 2023. The Gulf countries accounted for an average of 28% of total remittances from 2014 to 2020, according to RBI. But it all began with words and trade: PM Modi's recall of Kalila wa Dimna was a reminder of an ancient connection, a cultural bridge of civilisations. The views expressed are personal.
