Works Left on Consignment in the Sultanate of Oman

Works Left on Consignment in the Sultanate of Oman (2009)

Description

On 2 May 2009, during the final days of his stay in the Sultanate of Oman, Roberto Gallo prepared a handwritten inventory of the artworks left on consignment with Maria das Graças. Preserved in the artist’s personal archive and signed by the consignee, this document is one of the most important surviving records of this period in his career.

The inventory lists canvas paintings created at different stages of Roberto Gallo’s artistic career, including Brazilian coastal landscapes, seascapes, and other works produced during the early 2000s.

By comparing this document with other materials preserved by the artist—including the digital folder “Paintings for Sale”, photographs of exhibitions held in Brazil, and records produced during his stay in the Sultanate of Oman—it has been possible to identify several of these paintings, which are currently being catalogued as part of the Roberto Gallo Archive.

The evidence gathered to date suggests that this inventory does not necessarily represent every artwork Roberto Gallo brought to the Sultanate of Oman. Rather, it appears to record only the group of paintings that remained on consignment at the time of his departure.

The repeated appearance of these works in different exhibitions, professional presentations, and promotional materials prepared by the artist demonstrates that they formed the core of his pictorial production during this period. Together, they include some of the best-known paintings from the Costa Brasileira (Brazilian Coast) series, as well as other important bodies of work, constituting one of the principal groups currently being reconstructed through this research.

Consignment Inventory

On 2 May 2009, Roberto Gallo prepared a written record of the artworks left on consignment with Maria das Graças. Signed by the consignee, the document distinguishes three groups of works:

* Works sold;

* Works left on consignment;

* A separate group of works on paper.

This organization indicates that, at the end of his stay in the Sultanate of Oman, Roberto Gallo sought to document the status of his artworks before returning to Brazil.

At the current stage of the research, this document remains the primary known record concerning the subsequent destination of these works.

Literal Transcription of the Consignment Document

Oman, 2 May 2009

List of artworks with Maria Graça Rosa

1) Paintings on paper (folder)

10 acrylic paintings on paper

(purchased at 20 Omani Rials each)

Size: 60 × 40 cm

5 paintings — 35 × 28 cm

Watercolours on paper

(On consignment — 35 Omani Rials each)

Cancelled handwritten note: (1 acrylic painting on paper, 60 × 40 cm, on consignment — 40 Omani Rials)

2) Canvas Paintings

(On consignment)

1. Alto da Boa Vista — US$ 800

2. Canal da Ilha — US$ 600

3. Andorinhas — US$ 400

4. Ilha Comprida — US$ 600

5. Angra dos Reis — US$ 800

6. Cais Niterói — US$ 800

7. B. Botafogo — US$ 800

8. (Cancelled item – “Passag”)

9. Oman I — US$ 800

10. Oman II — US$ 1,100

Handwritten by Maria Graça Rosa: “Oman, 2 May 2009”, Signature, Telephone: +968 95247911

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Current State of Research

To date, no document has been located confirming the return of the paintings listed in the consignment inventory to the artist or their return to Brazil.

Likewise, no documentation has been found confirming the sale of most of these works, making it impossible to determine which paintings remained on consignment, which were sold, or the subsequent whereabouts of each individual work.

By comparing exhibition photographs, personal documents, digital archives, and the consignment inventory, it has gradually been possible to reconstruct part of the history of these paintings. The available evidence indicates that many of them accompanied Roberto Gallo for several years, appearing repeatedly in exhibitions and promotional materials before his journey to the Sultanate of Oman.

From the perspective of catalogue research, this group of works is of exceptional importance. Besides representing a significant portion of Roberto Gallo’s artistic production, it includes paintings whose subsequent history has yet to be fully reconstructed. Locating these works and establishing their provenance remains one of the principal objectives of this research.

Research is ongoing.

Surviving Documentation

* Handwritten consignment inventory dated 2 May 2009, signed by the consignee.

* Digital folder “Paintings for Sale.”

* Photographs of identified artworks.

* Documentation preserved in the artist’s personal archive.

Outstanding Research Questions

* Which works were ultimately sold?

* Are any paintings by Roberto Gallo still in the Sultanate of Oman?

* Where are these works currently located?

* Are there additional photographic records of this group of paintings?

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