Quinta do Lago’s Conrad Algarve Hotel is set to bring the spirit of Golegã and its horses to the Algarve in an event on November 1 from 5pm.
The evening will start with horse drawn carriages, matadors and horsemen from the Ribatejo. Traditional music, as heard at the Golegã festival, will create a backdrop to the festivities and as the day falls on All Saints’ Day, there will also be roasted chestnuts and a hog roast ‘Conrad-style’ to add to the flavour of the evening.
In line with the theme of the evening, the art works of Christian Gaillard will be on display, as his passion for bullfighting has been the central theme of his paintings for more than two decades, and the 62-year-old French artist is not ready to give it up any time soon.
The exhibition will include his meticulous oil paintings of matadors in their heavy brocade costumes and drama with his depictions of couples intensely entwined in the sensual moves of the Tango.
In addition, his son Solal Gaillard will be presenting limited-edition fine art prints of photographs from their book Golegã – Men and Horses.
The photographs and oil paintings portray the beautiful Lusitano horses, the men who ride them and the fair that has taken place since the 16th century in Golegã, where everything revolves around the horse.
Initially a professional illustrator, Christian gravitated towards the world of bullfighting through his memories of childhood holidays in Spain with his parents.
After many years of painting as a hobby, he exhibited his artwork for the first time around 25 years ago at a French gallery. The exhibit was a success and helped launch the artist into the world of painting.
Often compared to Spanish masters like Velásquez and Goya, the painter will be at the inauguration of the exhibition, which is organised by the Art‑Catto gallery in Loulé.
289 419 447 | info@artcatto.com
