Spain: several exhibitions for the centenary of the painter Sorolla

On the occasion of the first centenary of the disappearance of the Spanish artist Joaquin Sorolla on April 10, 1923, the Spanish Ministry of Culture declared the Sorolla year 2023 an “exceptional event of public interest. On this occasion, there will be several exhibitions throughout the country as well as artistic events that will pay tribute to the artist and his work.

Joaquin Sorolla

Joaquín Sorolla is one of the great names in 20th century Spanish painting. Considered the highest representative of Spanish Impressionism thanks to his representation of light, the artist shows us in his work a regionalist interpretation of Spain, family portraits, landscapes and gardens, but also beaches that have makes him an international reference.

To understand his work, you have to start with Valence, his birthplace. Walking on the beaches of the region is enough to apprehend the reflections, the whites and the blues that the painter was able to reproduce so well in his women on the beach, his children playing, his fishermen…

If the beautiful light of the Mediterranean left a deep impact on Sorolla’s work, the visit to the Prado Museum in Madrid when he was 18 years old marked him lastingly. His discovery of the work of Velázquez forever changed his vision of art. Sorolla now occupies a place of honor there alongside the man who was his master.

Nevertheless, if there is a place in Madrid to soak up the artist, it is the museum that bears his name, the Sorolla Museum, located in the old family home, which is essential.

One of the most representative creations of the link between the artist and his country of birth is the mural fresco on the provinces of Spain, “Vision of Spain”. In search of inspiration, Sorolla decided to travel the country and paint each scene in situ. This is how the painter traveled for almost eight years throughout the country, in order to know and reproduce the costumes and traditions of each region.

The painter spent thus during all the preparation of work, the winters and spring in Castile, in Madrid and in other cities located inland. During the summers, he alternated stays in San Sebastian and Navarre. With the arrival of autumn, he made frequent trips to various localities of the meseta, without forgetting his passages in Andalusia, Murcia, Asturias, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands.

Here is the complete program of exhibitions planned in Spain as part of this centenary:

– To Madrid:

Royal Palace of Madrid

“Sorolla and the light”. Immersive exhibition.

17.02.2023 – 23.06.2023

Prado Museum, Madrid

“Sorolla, portraits”

21.12.2022 – 18.06.2023

Sorolla Museum, Madrid

” The origins “

20.12.2022 – 19.03.2023

“Sorolla is dead, long live Sorolla!” »