The Small Horses or Les Petits Chevaux are illustrated as petite dancing figures. The delicate figures with colorful ribbons are reminiscent of the Renaissance period. In contrast, theme of longing for freedom is also illustrated with the energy and body language of the animals. Furthermore, many of Dali’s etchings from the Mao Suite were satires as a result of the current political climate of the time.

Mao Tse-Tung was the absolute leader of Communist China and leader of the Chinese Cultural Revolution. On the other hand, he was a calligrapher and eloquent poet. Prior to the French riots of 1968, Pierre Argillet brought the book of “Poems” by the leader to Dali. As a result, the artist created the eight illustrations known as the Mao Tse-Tung Suite.

The Argillet Collection of Salvador Dali Drawings and Original Etchings is a collaboration between Surrealist Salvador Dali and art collector and publisher Pierre Argillet. Accordingly, this collection demonstrates the highest standards of quality, superb draftsmanship, and artisanship. As a result, this body of work is possibly the finest work produced by Dali during his career. Between 1934 and 1974, the two men subsequently created and published nearly 200 works. Ultimately, many of which have been displayed in some of the best known museums around the world.