Salvador DALI (1904–1989), *Little Bird on the Tongue*, from the series *CASANOVA'S MEMOIRS*, 1980

Color lithograph, Magnani di Pescia paper, 47 x 32 cm; signed “Dali” on the plate, lower left; the sheet has its original protective tissue paper with the inscription “TAVOLA VII” (plate VII); each plate in the series is assigned to a specific chapter of Casanova’s Memoirs—plate VII to the chapter titled “Una Cenetta Stimolante” (A Stimulating Dinner). Publisher—Delfino Edizioni D’Arte Roma; print run of 1,500 copies; only the entire portfolio was numbered, this one being no. 0294
References: “The Official Catalog of the Graphic Works of Salvador Dalí” by Albert Field. Ref. 76-4 – I – pages 32; Michler and Lopsinger catalog raisonné #174–187
The paper for this edition was handmade specifically for this edition by Magnani di Pescia, a company founded in 1481 that continues to produce “handmade” paper using methods developed in the 15th century and refined in the 18th century.
With Gala’s help, Dali wrote a cookbook, *Les Diners de Gala*, 1973, in which he included a cocktail of his own creation and named it “Casanova”—an intriguing blend of orange juice, Campari, ginger, brandy, and cayenne pepper.
Giacomo Casanova, Chevalier de Seingalt (born April 2, 1725, in Venice; died June 4, 1798, in Duchcov)—a European adventurer, traveler, and writer. Through his memoirs (The Story of My Life), which vividly depict life in 18th-century European capitals, he earned a place in history, and it is thanks to the numerous accounts of his romantic conquests contained therein that his name has become synonymous with “seducer” in many languages.In 1765, Casanova arrived in Warsaw, where he was warmly received by King Stanisław August Poniatowski. He had hoped to become the king’s secretary, but after a pistol duel in March 1766, in which he seriously wounded the Grand Crown Chamberlain Franciszek Ksawery Branicki in the stomach (the dispute was over the Italian dancer Teresa Casaci), Branicki’s supporters began to pose a serious threat to his life. Casanova was forced to hide in the Reformed monastery on Senatorska Street.
He left Poland around 1767, this time having paid off all his debts (Casanova left every country he visited with substantial debts) because King Stanisław August had given him 200 ducats for that purpose, (approx. 24,000 euros).
The frames shown in the renderings are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a commercial offer.