Blog post
Summer with Sorolla
Spanish artist who brought the beach to paintings
Artworks by Spanish artist Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida, known for his luminous, outdoor scenes, evoke the sensations, light and spirit of summer. His paintings capture the quintessential sunshine experiences of visiting the beach with families, depicting lazy days and happy times.
Sorrolla was born in Valencia in 1863 but lived most of his adult life in Madrid, following periods living in Rome and Paris as young man. His home in Madrid is now a museum.
Sorolla's artistic career lasted decades, during which he produced a great range of paintings in a varitey of styles.
He produced large canvases with mythological and historical subjects. He depicted social realities of life in late Spain at the turn of the century in paintings.
While not his preferred genre, he also painted many portraits as commissions. He became a respected portrait artist, depicting many important people in Spanish society.
In 1888, he married Clotilde García del Castillo. Together, they had three children: Maria, born in 1890, Joaquín, born in 1892, and Elena, born in 1895.
In the summers, he liked to return to the coast - to Valencia, northern Spain and Biarritz among others - with his family and friends. There, he painted many artworks which earned him his nickname as the 'Painter of Light'.
Mostly painted towards the end of this long career, these paintings of sun-drenched summer beaches stand out. They feature bright light and summer colours, from vibrant blue skies, crystal turquoise waters and golden sands.
One such painting - Strolling along the Seashore - was painted in 1909. Sorolla's wife, Clotilde, and their eldest daughter, María, walk at sunset along a beach. The glistening Mediterranean waters, the shimmering sand, and the casually dressed figures exude an atmosphere of carefree summer days.
Sorolla painted outdoors, which allowed him to observe and replicate the ever-changing nuances of natural light. This play of light and colour in his beach and summer scenes, making these artworks a testament to his extraordinary talent.