Sorolla Fans Rejoice!

"Maria dressed as Valencian Peasant Girl" (detail)
(c) Sorolla 1906

Faithful readers know that I am a huge fan of the Spanish painter Sorolla (or Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida, if you must know the full name!). Sorolla is perhaps one of the least well know of the great Impressionists these days. He achieved great recognition during his lifetime (1863-1923), but has faded into relative obscurity, especially outside of Europe.

"Women Walking on the Beach"
Sorolla, 1909

But there is good news for all Sorolla fans: The National Gallery in London has mounted a major Sorolla exhibition that is hanging right now. It runs until July 7, 2019. This is the first major exhibit of his work in England in over a century. Entitled "Sorolla: Spanish Master of Light", this exhibit should prove to be a giant step in bringing his work back into the forefront.

"Sewing the Sail"
Sorolla, 1896

The London exhibit includes over sixty works. One third of them are from private collections all over the world--I love to see paintings from private collections, because it is such a pleasure to confront new work that has not been featured time and time again in books and magazines. I especially like to see the miracles that Sorolla could work with whites. The two paintings immediately above are like a master class in seeing and painting white!

"Garden Grotto, Alcazar de Seville"
(c) Sorolla, 1910

Sorolla painted all sorts of subjects with equal ease and élan. From landscapes to portraits, from peasants to aristocracy, it seems as if he could do anything. And like all greats, he made it look so effortless! But we know from his studies (many of which will be included in the exhibit) that much behind the scenes work was done to lay the ground for the bravura strokes that would make the finished painting.

"Alahanbra, Granada"
Sorolla, 1910

For those of us who can't make the journey to London, there's a beautiful four minute video showing the exhibition, which you can see here. Or if you are in New York, don't miss his fantastic cycle of paintings at the Hispanic Society--learn about it here. Enjoy!

"A Street in Granada"
(c) Sorolla, 1910