One of Madrid’s hidden jewels is the home of Joaquín Sorolla, the brilliant impressionist painter whose work is internationally renowned for his uncanny ability to catch and portray light. We are off to immerse ourselves in Sorolla’s multihued world; where every detail was part of the master’s art on a daily basis, the Museo Sorolla.
Valencian born, it is perhaps easy to understand why light was the predominating influence on Sorolla’s work; it certainly explains his love for depicting figures at the beach and in the Mediterranean Sea. The artist (b. 1863 - d. 1923) excelled in a diversity of areas: landscapes, portraiture and monumental works of social and historical themes; his “Vision of Spain” series being the highlight of the last.
Trivia fun: The Spanish National Dance Company honored the painter's “Vision of Spain” by producing a ballet “Sorolla” based on these paintings.
The home, now Museo Sorolla, was built between 1910 and 1911 and has been left exactly as it was upon his death. The canvas he was painting just before he died remains in place; his brushes next to the unfinished work. After his death, his widow, Clotilde García del Castillo, left many of his paintings to the Spanish public. It is these paintings that formed the collection now known as the Museo Sorolla.
The highlight of the museum is to walk into Sorolla’s studio and be transported into another era. A time when this incredible “master of light” painted with abandon and dedication. With the walls covered with Sorolla’s paintings, it is truly a magical moment in the life of anyone who loves art.
Sorolla’s paintings are displayed throughout and the family’s original furniture from the early 1900’s is on display. On the second floor temporary exhibitions of Sorolla’s extensive work are arranged a few times a year.
Insights into the artist and my favorite Sorolla quotes:
"I hate darkness. Claude Monet once said that painting in general did not have light enough in it. I agree with him. We painters, however, can never reproduce sunlight as it really is. I can only approach the truth of it.”
"I could not paint at all if I had to paint slowly. Every effect is so transient, it must be rapidly painted.”
Museum hours of operation: Tuesday to Saturday 9:30am - 8pm (20.00); Sunday 10am - 3pm (15.00). Closed Mondays. Public Holidays: 10am - 3pm (15:00). Closed January 1, May 1, December 24, 25, 31.
Admission: General 3€; groups 1.5€ per head and for students, under 18 and pensioners. Free: Saturdays after 2pm (14.00), Sundays and April 18, May 18, October 12 and December 6.
Valencian born, it is perhaps easy to understand why light was the predominating influence on Sorolla’s work; it certainly explains his love for depicting figures at the beach and in the Mediterranean Sea. The artist (b. 1863 - d. 1923) excelled in a diversity of areas: landscapes, portraiture and monumental works of social and historical themes; his “Vision of Spain” series being the highlight of the last.
Trivia fun: The Spanish National Dance Company honored the painter's “Vision of Spain” by producing a ballet “Sorolla” based on these paintings.
The home, now Museo Sorolla, was built between 1910 and 1911 and has been left exactly as it was upon his death. The canvas he was painting just before he died remains in place; his brushes next to the unfinished work. After his death, his widow, Clotilde García del Castillo, left many of his paintings to the Spanish public. It is these paintings that formed the collection now known as the Museo Sorolla.
The highlight of the museum is to walk into Sorolla’s studio and be transported into another era. A time when this incredible “master of light” painted with abandon and dedication. With the walls covered with Sorolla’s paintings, it is truly a magical moment in the life of anyone who loves art.
Sorolla’s paintings are displayed throughout and the family’s original furniture from the early 1900’s is on display. On the second floor temporary exhibitions of Sorolla’s extensive work are arranged a few times a year.
Insights into the artist and my favorite Sorolla quotes:
"I hate darkness. Claude Monet once said that painting in general did not have light enough in it. I agree with him. We painters, however, can never reproduce sunlight as it really is. I can only approach the truth of it.”
"I could not paint at all if I had to paint slowly. Every effect is so transient, it must be rapidly painted.”
Museum hours of operation: Tuesday to Saturday 9:30am - 8pm (20.00); Sunday 10am - 3pm (15.00). Closed Mondays. Public Holidays: 10am - 3pm (15:00). Closed January 1, May 1, December 24, 25, 31.
Admission: General 3€; groups 1.5€ per head and for students, under 18 and pensioners. Free: Saturdays after 2pm (14.00), Sundays and April 18, May 18, October 12 and December 6.
