[Thorn]

Did Dali really eat his wife after she died? Someone said this in one of the threads (I can't remember who) and its been bugging me ever since. I keep thinking 'Dali ate his wife-no,no...ick!'

So, okay, art history buffs, is this really true? Can anyone elaborate the story further?

[Thorn]

???!!!!!!!!

[Lange_Pisang]

www.rotten.com should explain a lot...I think...

[Tinusch]

Rotten doesn't explain whether or not he actually did... Where did you see that?

[Thorn]

AaahHA!!! I finally found the original comment on Dali and his alleged cannabilistic ways in the threads.

posted May 31, 2000 03:15 PM
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dali's work was less about his artistic abilities and more about his surealist views on life.
Did you know he ate his wife after she died ?
_____________________________________________
Incarnatation

I think Dali was brilliant, and definitely a bit, um, ...troubled. So if Incarnatation is reading this, do you know what Dali's rationalisation was for nibbling on his dead wife? In some cultures eating the liver or heart of a fallen enemy was a mark of respect; a way to take in something of the strength or essence of that person. (Not so common these days, thankfully) Was Dali up to something similar?

[Incarnatation]

yeah im pretty sure he did, he loved her alot infact almost all of his portraiture was based around her.

[Thorn]

Nah, Chapel, I think he'd still get a museum. Dali was so full of strange behaviours that people around him probably just thought, 'oh well...its just one more thing'. Seems like once an artist hits the 'great' category they're forgiven anything. Probably because they can generate, potentially, a 'great' deal of money, specially when they die.

Thanks Incarnatation. Dali's been a special interest of mine in the last year. I'm going to go back to books and dig a little more.

[Chapel]

I really doubt they would have a museum for him if this was true.

[cecil]

Was that his wife Gala? My gosh, while quite a shock, it seems natural for him. I wonder if she was okay with her remains being consumed like that?

[Chapel]

Ok, I've searched the web and I can't find anything even mentioning this. All I can find is that after his wife died in 82 he got burned in her castle in 84 then he lived in seclusion his last few years. This is the first I've ever heard about him "nibbling" on his wife. Also, if this was true you would hear about it everytime someone described him. Artist or not.. cannibalism is cannibalism. People don't usually disreguard that. Besides it would add to his "weirdness" which people would most likely take advantage of to promote his stuff more.

[This message has been edited by Chapel (edited June 13, 2000).]

[Thorn]

That's a good point, Chapel. A happening like that has great 'sensation' value, and that'd be just too good (for want of a better word)for any writer etc. to pass up. Most of the bio's I've seen made no secret of the fact that while they greatly respected Dali's work, they hated the man himself and his wife as people. Well, by the time they finished writing they did. The antagonism, though, seemed to focus mostly on his 'scams' with money, which started to eclipse his development as a painter. Nothing was ever said about strange eating habits. But still, Dali 'nibbles' on wife is an interesting thought, and I wouldn't put it past him. His love for Gala certainly bordered on grand obsession. If anyone does happens to come across the story anywhere, let me know. I'm still curious.


[This message has been edited by Thorn (edited June 13, 2000).]

[cecil]

You could call it a love-'ate relationship. Bwahahahahaha!

[Jess]

Yeah, I mean everybody knows about Van Gough and how he cut off his ear. He just went nuts in his last years then ran out into a field and tried to commit suicide. The people he was staying with found him still alive, but still he died (a few days later I think). It's been awhile since I've written biographies about Van Gough.

Dali has got to be one of the more interesting abstract artists. I love abstract art. Though I think he really had some sort of hostillity towards women. I haven't taken art history so I don't know much about him. I'm going to read about him now that you guys struck my curiosity. There's tons and tons of books about him @ the book store.

[Thorn]

lol, Cecil...

Happy reading, Jess. I agree with you, I think Dali had some attitude problems towards women. Did you know that while he was totally into autoerotism, the physical act of intercourse actually repulsed him? Strange, but fascinating.

My suggestion...after you check out Dali, read some stuff on Klimt or Matisse, it will help rinse away the negative stuff.

[Jess]

Awesome Thank you! I'm always so interested in art history. I can't wait to get into college

[Affected]

Abstract? I thought Dali was a surrealist...

[Thorn]

Jess probably just had a slip of the computer keys.

(Dali groans and spins several times in his grave...)

[Sumaleth]

I have read several large books on Dali and none ever mentioned anything about him eating his wife. I think it's just of those stories that gets around..

One weird thing that he DID do was try to dehydrate himself. He was particularly interested in an experiment scientists had done on a frog I think it was, where they had removed all the water from it - dead - and then revived it by reintroducing water. So towards the end of his life he stopped drinking in the hopes that he could do the same.

He was a very strange character.

Sumaleth

[Thorn]

He did??!!

"...curiouser and curiouser..."

Okay, Sumaleth, you've won with that one. Pick up your stuffed toy from the nice girl at the door.

[This message has been edited by Thorn (edited June 23, 2000).]