Dining Room, Beverly Hills, California
Date2001, printed c. 2002
Artist
Ralph Gibson
(American photographer, born 1939)
MediumChromogenic color print
Dimensionsimage: 18 × 12 in. (45.7 × 30.5 cm)
sheet: 19 15/16 × 15 15/16 in. (50.6 × 40.5 cm)
sheet: 19 15/16 × 15 15/16 in. (50.6 × 40.5 cm)
Credit LineGift of Daniel Calacci, 2003
Object number2003-30.3
On View
Not on viewClassificationsPHOTOGRAPH
Label TextThe modern restaurant came into being during the second half of the 1700s and was first used almost exclusively by men. Within a decade of its introduction, however, certain restaurants began offering private dining rooms where men could dine with a female companion in complete privacy. The two guests would arrive, be shown into their private room, and the first course or the entire meal would be set out on the table. The serving staff would withdraw and a curtain would be pulled across and tied in front of the entrance door. The diners were free to satisfy all aspects of their appetite. These rooms still exist and can be found in a number of New Orleans' restaurants, including Antoine's. However restrictions on their use do apply.—Burt Wolf
