Raquel Arnaud’s journey as a gallery owner was simultaneous to the diversification and professionalization of art in Brazil (as an institution and as a trade), gradually gaining relevance as the artistic production acquired consistency and regularity.

Rodrigo Naves

Her first steps in the artistic world were taken in the end of the 1960’s, when Raquel made acquaintance of important artistic personalities such as Lasar Segall and Pietro Maria Bardi. From 1968 to 1971 and under professor Bardi, Raquel worked at the beginning of the Museum of Art of São Paulo (MASP) in its current location, at Paulista Avenue.

In 1973, Raquel Arnaud opened her first art gallery named “Gabinete de Artes Gráficas”, in which she remained until 1979. At that time, following an invitation by “Rede Globo de Televisão”, she was appointed the director of the gallery “Arte Global” where she was able to strengthen her relationship with artists such as Iole de Freitas, Anna Maria Maiolino, Lygia Pape, Roberto Magalhães, Carlos Vergara to mention a few. In six years directing “Arte Global”, she organized approximately 100 exhibitions.

In 1980, with the foundation of “Gabinete de Arte Raquel Arnaud”, dedicated to one of the most significant segments of the XX Century (geometrical abstraction), Raquel was surrounded by artists/partners/friends such as Sergio Camargo, Lygia Clark, Amilcar de Castro, Mira Schendel, Arthur Luiz Piza, Waltercio Caldas, Tunga, José Resende, Nuno Ramos and Hércules Barsotti. This group of artists has stimulated the growth of “Gabinete de Arte”, whose catalogues, invitations and publications (produced by designers and great artists such as Fernando Lemos, Willys de Castro e Waltercio Caldas) have become a trademark of Raquel Arnaud’s work.

In 2011, with the change of location and business name (from “Gabinete de Arte Raquel Arnaud” to “Galeria Raquel Arnaud”), Raquel has initiated a new professional and personal stage, in which she will be able not only to come close to the public and her customers, but also to explore new artistic universes such as photography. Nonetheless, Raquel’s personal contact with the artists that she represents – marked by affinity that begins with the enchantment for their art work and develops into a friendship and cooperation conquered through a long term partnership – will always remain as one of her greatest distinctions.

 

•