A monumental work that merges lyrical abstraction with dreamlike figurative elements, created by one of the undisputed figures of contemporary Catalan avant-garde and endorsed by Spain's oldest gallery.
History and Curatorial Analysis
Gerard Sala (Tona, 1942) is a fundamental name for understanding the evolution of Catalan painting in the second half of the 20th century and early 21st century. Trained at the Sant Jordi School of Fine Arts and strongly linked to academic teaching, his work is characterized by a constant search for rhythm, often establishing direct bridges between painting, poetry, and music.
Allegro Vivace, dated February 1989 ("II - 89"), is a superb example of this artistic synesthesia. The title, a musical term indicating a rapid and brilliant tempo, is visually translated onto the canvas through the dynamism of its elements: floating human figures, a tense feline in the lower plane, and decontextualized everyday objects, such as the director's chair, gravitating in an ethereal space dominated by deep blues. The mixed media on paper allows Sala to superimpose layers of color and texture, creating a material and rich surface. This superposition generates a vibrant three-dimensional space where gestural brushstrokes coexist with pure color patches, endowing the composition with a forceful and expansive movement.
Reasons for the collection
Established Authorship: Gerard Sala has an extensive institutional career, presence in prominent public collections (such as MACBA), and a solid secondary market.
Pedigree and Provenance: The authenticity of the work is absolutely guaranteed. It retains the original registration label (Nº 15.050) on the reverse from the historic Sala Parés Gallery in Barcelona, Spain's oldest gallery and a regular dealer for the artist.
Museum Format: Its dimensions of 120 x 150 cm magnify the visual power of the work, making it a central piece capable of articulating and dominating any architectural space.
Material and Thematic Richness: It is a highly representative piece of the artist's language, where dreamlike iconography and the textured treatment of paper reach their maximum expression.
Technical Data
Artist: Gerard Sala (b. 1942)
Title:Allegro Vivace
Year: 1989
Style: Neofiguration / Lyrical Abstraction
Technique: Mixed media on paper
Artwork Dimensions: 120 x 150 cm
Signature: Signed and dated by hand in the upper left corner ("Gerard Sala II - 89").
Provenance: Original label from Galería Sala Parés in Barcelona (Registration 15.050, dated 2.06.93). Additional identifiers on the reverse.
Condition: Excellent.
The Workshop's Note
Having access to a Gerard Sala piece of this magnitude, backed by the impeccable provenance of Sala Parés, is a rare event in the open market. It is a cultured, energetic, and visually overwhelming painting. For El Taller del Coleccionista, this work represents mature collecting: a piece of historical Catalan avant-garde with the most rigorous possible provenance, ideal for high-level collectors who demand both aesthetic value and documentary security in their investments.
