Excerpt from an interview conducted by Juan Pablo Carcozon questioning Salvador Dali about Pablo Picasso.
Published in the old Catalan art journal, Persona.

“—…but I must say that it inhabits you in a majestic way!
— You see, Dali is always inhabited by what is majestic.
—And how would you define the link that exists between you and Picasso?
— Dali has already answered this question.
But Dali can answer it again if you so ardently wish!
— I think our readers would really appreciate it!
— Well, it is with grandeur and majesty that I would answer them, starting with a Catalan proverb:

When the swallow arches, The Starling is in rut.

Good.
I have always had a respect and admiration worthy of the most fanatical of fans towards Picasso.
You see, his little shiny bald head represents for me the hope that one can have when faced with an undercooked omelette: the hope that everything is still possible!
— Tell me if I'm wrong, but would you like to say that Picasso would be a hope for modern art?
- You are wrong.

I say that Picasso represents the very hope of being able to make an omelette worthy of the name.

Do you know how difficult it is to make a perfect omelette?! The art that is included there goes beyond the debate that we could have on the future of modern art, Mr. Parabole!
- "Jean Paul".
- What is that ?
— My name is Jean-Paul, not Parabole.
—Is this important for our interview?
— Uh no… not
— okay then!
Stay with me Jean Jean! Stay focused! – he said, snapping his fingers.
What I’m telling you is very important.
This century will be successful if we find an efficient and universal way to cook an egg!
How can we overcome the perfection of this curvature of the egg shell? This is the question of the century!
And the celestial vault that protects Picasso's egg yolk is the perfect example.
Nietzsche was looking for a superman, I'm looking for an eggshell.
- Very interesting.
Could you underline the features which…
— … the curvature of the egg…
— How?
— No, I just wanted to say that… the curvature of the eggshell is incredible…
— OK.

— …and Picasso’s skull represents this perfection.

- OK.
— …
— Salvador Dali,
— Yes Joseph?
- … "Jean Paul".
Could you tell us in a more technical way what differentiates the art of Picasso from the art of Dali?
- Very good question.
I understand where you are coming from here.
As I noted in my book “Diary of a Genius”, Picasso is 9/20 when it comes to technique. Dali has 12/20.
— It is also a very interesting book for those who want to read Dali's thoughts.
—Are you going to write that?
- Write what ?
— “A very interesting book…”, etc. ?
— No, but we will surely reference it at the end of the article.
— I really like your way of working.
— Thank you Mr. Dali, that’s very kind.
—Can I tell you how your earlobe is very similar to Picasso's perfect skull?
Laughter
— Could I also be a hope for the century?

— No, but your lobe most certainly is!

More forced laughter from the journalist.
— Let's stay in the comparison between Dali and Picasso: in what way is Picasso ahead of Dali and vice versa?
— I like your mind: it’s quick.
To use “vice et versa” is to anticipate the temporal movement of a reflexive and synthetic articulation.
Picasso is ahead of Dali in several areas:
for inspiration with a 19/20, while Dali only has 17/20;
for the subject with 18/20, while Dali only has 17/20;
for genius with 20/20, while Dali only has 19/20.
— Let us clarify that these are your ratings.
- Who wrote the book ?
- …YOU.
— Why this precision then?
— …
— In short, as far as Dali is ahead of Picasso, the gap is not that significant:
for originality, Dali has 17/20 while Picasso has 7/20;
for mystery, Dali has 19/20 while Picasso has 2/20;
for authenticity, Dali has 19/20 while Picasso has 7/20.
— The gap is still significant compared to the areas where Picasso is ahead of you, don't you think?
— He still gets a 20/20 for genius.
— Yes, but genius is a fairly subjective and vague criterion.
— Perhaps it is for you, but it is not for me.
- Alright.
Finally, how do you find Picasso's works lately?
— Shy and rigid.
- All right.

— I told you, he is the swallow, I am the starling. »

1965, Port Lligat.

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“Diary of a genius”, Appendix VI, p.303, Salvador Dali, L’imaginaire Gallimard.

*2015