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Salvador Dali’s
Les Diners De Gala:
A Visual and Gastronomical Delight
“One can choose not
to eat, one cannot accept to eat poorly.”
–
Salvador Dali’
 Modern
Master Salvador Dali’ (1904 -1989) was a famous Spanish painter,
sculptor, graphic artist and designer. His artistic talent and
imagination was amazing; he conquered every medium and style of
art. He also had a great talent in creating self-publicity,
which rapidly made him very famous as well. Throughout his life
he cultivated eccentricity and exhibitionism. He described his
pictures as “hand-painted dream photographs” and had certain
favorite recurring images. Dali’ was also known for his book
illustrations, jewelry design and theatre contributions.
 At
the age of 68, he achieved one of his life long dreams. “When
six years old I wanted to be a cook,” Dali’ wrote. So in 1973,
Dali’ fulfilled his life long ambition and published, “Les
Diners de Gala.” Not just another cookbook, Dali’s book is a
treasure trove of gastronomics. The book opens with, “Les Diners
de Gala, its precepts and its illustrations, is devoted to the
pleasures of taste. Don’t look for dietetic formulas here.” The
book has 55 recipes beautifully illustrated in color. The
leaders in French gastronomy prepared 21 of the recipes:
Maxim’s, Le Buffet de la Gare de Lyon, Lasserre and La Tour
d’Argent. None of the recipes had ever before been published.
They were elaborated with great precision by a chef wishing to
remain anonymous. Other notable chefs included additional
renowned French recipes as well. Dali’ was quoted as saying,
“One can choose not to eat, one cannot accept to eat poorly.”
Also, “The sensual intelligence housed in the tabernacle of my
palate beckons me to pay the greatest attention to food.”
 Visual
aspects of food are essential to the experience of food. Eyes
play a critical role in titillating appetite. A special gala
menu was prepared by Maxim and Dali’ was very much present as
well a centerpiece of the evening. The prize of “Les Diners de
Gala” is the twelve “Hors-Texte,” with specifically designed
original montage lithographs. Art patrons and art collectors who
purchased the whole suite were given one of the books, signed by
the master himself. The limited edition of the book was also
sold. Mark Steingard and his partner Keoki Flagg have the
original lithographs at their art gallery in Squaw Valley.
Steingard, a 35-year art expert, represented Dali’ in the 1970’s
and played an important part in distributing the pieces for the
publisher and his friend Dali.
“I remember so many interesting
things about Salvador,” said Steingard. “Once we were in New
York together staying at the St. Regis Hotel. And there was
Dali’ in his hotel suite with his two live cheetahs on a leash.
We went for a walk together with the cats in Central Park. To
Dali’ it was just another ordinary day.”
 Dali’s
published work shows his intellectual love of food and the
symbolisms it held for him personally. The book, the art in the
book and the lithographs are dedicated to his wife, Gala. He did
a specific original montage lithograph for the following courses
or categories for her food loving delight: exotic dishes,
eggs-sea food, first course, meats, snails-frogs, fish-shell
fish, game poultry, pork, vegetables, aphrodisiacs,
sweets-desserts and hors-d’oeuvres. The pieces are complex and
the eye can catch something unique and different each time they
are viewed.
The 12 specific montage lithographs show Dali’s genius and
expertise. The masterpieces of this famous suite show the depth
of Dali’s gastronomical mystique. They are watermarked on BFK
Rives paper. Rives is a fine printmaking paper that is hand made
in France. Each of the twelve lithographs feature an original
Dali’ etching titled, “Spoon on Crutches” in the lower center
margin. Each is hand signed and numbered by Dali.’ Published in
1971 by Jean Levigne, there is a limited edition of 395 plus 50
artist proofs. From his private collection Steingard has numbers
178 of the 395 sets that were done. The montage lithographs
measure 20 1/2 by 17 1/2 inches and framed measures 31 by 36
inches. Each is exquisitely framed, matted, authenticated and
appraised.
 Dali’
is undoubtedly one of the most famous artists of the 20th
century. His work and imagination is vast, highly collected and
respected. There are museums devoted to Dali’s work in Figueras,
his hometown in Spain, and in St. Petersburg in Florida.
Enjoy fine art and fine food. Bon Apetite!
Gallery Keoki
is located in the Village at Squaw Valley. They can be contacted
at (800)995-3654 or
www.GalleryKeoki.com.
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