BARCELONA.- On December 17, 2009 the Real Círculo Artístico of Barcelona (Royal Artistic Circle of Barcelona – RCAB), Spain, issued a proclamation awarding French photographer Robert Descharnes, long term friend and associate of Salvador Dalí and expert in his work, its coveted Gold Medal “For the merit which he displays, the greatest authority in the world in the knowledge and defense of the work of the artist Salvador Dalí i Domench.” The award was accepted on Robert Descharnes’ behalf by his son Nicolas at the RCAB’s headquarters in Barcelona on December 27th 2009 and acknowledged in a video addressed to the RCAB by Robert Descharnes who was unable to attend the presentation in person. Founded in 1881 and accorded Royal status by His Majesty King Alfonso XIII in 1917, the Real Círculo Artístico of Barcelona is a non-profit organization whose aims have always been to promote and support the arts in all their forms. The RCAB’s current Honorary Pres