(German version)

The Crown Prince Felipe of Asturias with guestbook
Marco J. Bodenstein and
the German Foreign Miinister Hans-Dietrich Genscher.

 

The guestbook of the Museum of European Art -
Noervenich Castle

 

Portrait Salvador Dalí -
Joe F.Bodenstein, German Foreign Minister
Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Prince Felipe

 

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Salvador Dalí: The Magician Of Colour


An excerpt from a speech given by the Spanish heir-apparent, the Crown Prince Felipe of Asturias, on the occasion of the exhibition "Salvador Dalí - A Royal Collection" in the Museum of European Art at the Noervenich Castle near Cologne in July 1991, in cooperation with the government of the Federal Republic of Germany:


"It is an honour for me to open the Salvador Dali exhibition at the Museum of European Art.

This brilliant man was born in Spain. He lived in France and in the United States. He is a cosmopolitan. His artistic achievements are well known and discussed all over the world.

It is understandable, therefore, if the friends of his art emphasize that this magician of colours, born in Figueras, belongs not to Spain or to Europe alone, but has admirers the world over.

Naturally it is a great joy for Spain that Salvador Dali is the most widely recognized artistic personality to emerge from this sun-filled country in southern Europe during the twentieth century. Recall, too, the other renowned artists of modern classicism. Our country is vital enough to produce worthy contributors to the cultural development of a united, free and peaceful Europe in the future as well.

The exhibition is under the aegis of German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher. We owe him and the German government our heartfelt gratitude for their commitment to culture. Our appreciation and support also belong to those who worked to make this exhibition of Salvador Dali's graphic masterworks possible: first of all, to the House of Bodenstein at the Noervenich Castle and to you, John Gilbert Bodenstein.

The friends of his art will receive real joy from this further look into Dali's enormous artistic achievement. Those who are not yet very familiar with Dali's work will be able to make exciting discoveries in his pictures and his meanings.

It is our innermost wish to promote the power of art to unify nations, and in so doing, to contribute to a united Europe."

 

Portrait Salvador Dalí and "Soft watches"