Situated on one of the most interesting streets in Barrio Gotico, Sala Parés is probably the oldest privately owned commercial art gallery in the world. Though the nameplate by the entrance says 1877 the gallery has been in business since 1840.
The gallery has the distinction of being the first gallery to publicly exhibit Picasso’s work.
The building hosts three public showing spaces, including Galeria Trama upstairs, and a private salon for clients to buy and sell work and have work they own valued.
The gallery represents a strong stable of international artists and has an impressive collection of 19th and 20th century Catalan and Spanish work.
At the start of the 20th century Parés played a significant role in launching the careers of many significant fine artists.
It would be unfair to singularly characterize the range of artwork you’ll encounter here – except to say it’s of consistently excellent quality. Well worth a visit.
If you want to get a feel for the kind of work shown here then you can browse a current catalog HERE.
And, have in mind that the gallery is just a few short steps from La Pallaresa (see the Pallaresa article), so you won’t have far to walk to find a good cup of tea, coffee or chocolate.
