In the Company of Dali: The Photographs of Robert Whitaker by Trevor Legate
square folio. pp. 128. profusely illustrated in colour & b/w. hardcover. dw. (fine condition). Kent: Touchstone Books Ltd., [2006].
ISBN-10: 0955102049 / ISBN-13: 9780955102042
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In the early 1970s, the photographer Robert Whitaker met the Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. It was a meeting of like minds since Robert was a genuine admirer of the surrealist movement and often incorporated elements of its fantasy world into his photography. One of his most controversial pieces of work is the now-infamous Beatles album known as the "Butchers Cover." Whitaker became a photographer during the 1960s and was at the heart of events that unfolded during the Swinging Sixties, recording the advent of flower power and photographing all the major personalities of the time—Eric Clapton, Germaine Greer, Julie Christie, Mick Jagger. A meeting with Brian Epstein resulted in a contract to become The Beatles' official photographer, and for two unforgettable years he toured the world with the group. However, his first love was art and the chance to meet Dalí was the fulfillment of a dream. Again in the right place at the right time, Robert was able to capture a series of images of Dalí at the height of his fame. For many years, the negatives Robert produced at Dalí's home in Port Ligat, and in Barcelona and Paris, remained in storage. These were given to Trevor Legate and every negative was printed in his darkroom specifically for this book. The images reveal Dalí at home, relaxing with his wife Gala, with guests such as Amanda Lear, working on his last major oil painting and showing Robert around one of Gaudí's buildings in Barcelona. For the first time, the photographs reveal Dalí's studio and his method of storing the many canvases he was working on. This very personal book provides an insight into the world of Salvador Dalí and the public and private face of a great artist and consummate showman. The photographs illustrate the candid, spontaneous style of Robert Whitaker's photography that, although shot without the use of tripods, flash, or any other technical gadgetry, effectively record a time, a place, and a personality, the likes of which will never be seen again.