Artist’s Palate: Bernar Venet’s oeuf caviar

Red granite plate with food
Red granite plate, £87, by Willer. ‘Terrazzo’ platter, £69, by Serax, from The Conran Shop. Dinner fork, £15, by Louise Campbell, for Georg Jensen. ‘Mystone Bluestone’ tile in Grigio, from £41 per sq m, by Marazzi. Interiors: Maria Sobrino. Food: Maud Eden
(Image credit: Felicity McCabe)

Bernar Venet’s Corten steel sculptures have created dramatic statements at Versailles, Nice, New York and, most recently, in the grounds of Cliveden in Buckinghamshire. Their elegant forms reflect a lifetime of careful study. ‘They take 65 years to consider, then it’s eight minutes to build the maquette, and up to three months to make them,’ he says. His oeuf caviar is equally considered: two elementally similar yet visually opposite ingredients, arranged in perfect harmony. It’s his dish of choice at the Michelin-starred Les Gorges de Pennafort, run by his friend Philippe Da Silva and located near Venet’s art foundation in Provence. Venet is fond of the dish’s simplicity. ‘It’s quick and visually sober, like my artwork.’

Ingredients
1 egg
Caviar

Method
Very gently cook an egg over low heat, with a little butter that has just begun to melt in a frying pan. Ensure that the yolk remains soft and not overcooked.

To avoid unsightly little points on the surface, do not season the egg (in particular the yolk) with salt.

To finish, encircle the egg with a crown of caviar. The caviar will provide the salt.

As originally featured in the October 2017 issue of Wallpaper* (W*223)

INFORMATION

Venet is at Cliveden until 15 October, and Frieze Masters, 5-8 October. For more information, visit the Cliveden website, BlainSouthern website, and Frieze website

TF Chan is a former editor of Wallpaper* (2020-23), where he was responsible for the monthly print magazine, planning, commissioning, editing and writing long-lead content across all pillars. He also played a leading role in multi-channel editorial franchises, such as Wallpaper’s annual Design Awards, Guest Editor takeovers and Next Generation series. He aims to create world-class, visually-driven content while championing diversity, international representation and social impact. TF joined Wallpaper* as an intern in January 2013, and served as its commissioning editor from 2017-20, winning a 30 under 30 New Talent Award from the Professional Publishers’ Association. Born and raised in Hong Kong, he holds an undergraduate degree in history from Princeton University.

Read more
bar valette london
Dinner and doilies: Bar Valette is an homage to intimate, yet unfussy dining
food sculpture
Surreal suppers: the artists playing with their food
Teodora cutlery
Teodora cutlery looks to the future, yet a rebellious princess is its unlikely muse
margaux restaurant paris review
The warmth and comfort of Paris restaurant Margaux: ‘It’s like feasting at grandma’s’
we are ona
Is this the future of fine dining? Culinary creative studio We Are Ona offers food for thought
sculptures of accessories
The seductive call of consumerism: Sylvie Fleury in Paris
Latest in Recipes
Canelés and cassata celebratory Christmas desserts
Better than Christmas cake: fabulous festive dessert recipes
Glass bowl with corn
Helen Pashgian’s recipe for summer corn
Open spread, colourful recipe books on a neutral colour L-shaped sofa, light wood floor and neutral coffee table with books, two green apples and glass of blue liquid
Recipes for success: A mouthwatering selection of this season's new culinary tomes
Artists and designers serve up their prized dishes for our ongoing Artist’s Palate series
Artist’s Palate: recipes by your favourite artists and designers
toast with egg shaped like a flower in the middle of it
Elevate brunch with Egg Flowers in Toast
Teapot, tray, cups and plate, all part of the Maurice Collection by Mathilde Philipponnat.
Miso is taking a starring role in fine dining desserts
Latest in Feature
black and white image of kitchen
‘La Cocina’: the kitchen is a chaotic melting pot of contemporary culture in Alonso Ruizpalacios’ new film
lean lui guide to hong kong
A local’s guide to Hong Kong, by photographer Lean Lui
people at watch show
What can we expect from Watches and Wonders 2025?
Perfume Genius Glory album artwork
Inside the visual universe of Perfume Genius
art works
Don’t miss these five artists at Art Basel Hong Kong
best hotels hong kong
Where to stay in Hong Kong