Whenever I walk along Carrer Petritxol there are a few places I always have to stop at, among them the Sala Parés, one of the oldest art galleries in Spain. And last weekend, as I passed this gallery, I came across an exhibition that caught my eye: Reconstrucció d’un món (Reconstruction of a World) by Neus Martín Royo.

Paintings of little corners of Barcelona, Sala Parés

Little corners of Barcelona that have been there forever are portrayed in oils in a charming, Hopper-esque style, one more attempt to freeze a splendid past that reminds us things were always better in the old days. The exhibition comes with a short text by Rafael Vallbona, a tribute to the painter, to the paintings and to this Barcelona that feels so much our own.

The exhibition opened on Friday 23 November and I went on the Saturday, so it had only been up for a day and the painter, Neus Martín, was still wandering around the gallery greeting friends and people interested in her work. Friendly and cheerful, she exhibits regularly at the Sala Parés and often works with the gallery.

I’d encourage you to click through to the exhibition catalogue and play at guessing which place each painting shows, although in some cases the name over the door gives it away. Or better still, drop in to the exhibition and, who knows, you might give in to the temptation of a small investment and take a great place home with you. 😉