Joaquín Sorolla

Joaquín Sorolla (1863–1923), Spanish, Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida, a luminary of Spanish painting, was born in Valencia on February 27, 1863, and passed away in Cercedilla on August 10, 1923. Orphaned at a tender age due to a cholera epidemic, Sorolla and his sister were raised by their maternal aunt and her husband, a locksmith by trade. Despite his uncle's efforts to steer him towards the family profession, Sorolla's innate passion for art was undeniable. He honed his skills at the Escuela de Artesanos de Valencia, sharing a studio with notable contemporaries such as José Vilar y Torres, the Benlliure brothers, and Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench. Sorolla's early works, often maritime scenes from Valencia, initially failed to capture the attention of the art establishment, which favored historical and dramatic themes. A pivotal visit to the Museo del Prado in 1882 deepened his appreciation for Velázquez, influencing his transition into a 'realist phase' under the tutelage of Gonzalo Salvá. His breakthrough came in 1884 with the national acclaim of 'Defensa del parque de artillería de Monteleón,' a piece crafted to meet the era's exhibition standards. Sorolla's mature oeuvre, celebrated for its vibrant luminosity, straddles the boundaries of Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and Luminism, leaving behind a prolific legacy of over 2,200 cataloged works.