This won’t be the only mention of Joaquín Sorolla on this blog as he is one of my favorite 19th century painters. What impresses me the most about his paintings is the way he captured the effect of sunlight on his subjects. I’ve seen few other artists who paint in this genre achieve this strong of an effect in their work. It’s as if the light is shining from within the canvas of his paintings out toward us; all that sunlight dancing around reflecting off each other. I particularly love the subtle variations in the shadow colors he used. Look at the colors in the white dresses…. they’re white but there not… they’re red and blue and green… and white.
Sun-drenched coastal scenes, women wearing large hats and long white dresses were some of his favorite subjects. He was also fond of painting children on the beach. Here’s a few…
Walk on the Beach, 1909. Joaquín Sorolla
Beach of Valencia by Morning Light, Joaquin Sorolla
The Beach at Biarritz, 1902. Joaquín Sorolla
Two Children on the Beach, Joaquin Sorolla
Photo of Joaquín Sorolla painting at the beach
Your blog was such a pleasure to find today! How BEAUTIFUL! I can’t wait to click on the daily paintings link! My very favorites paintings are mother/child, especially nursing babes. (((((HUGS))))) sandi
Very nice. Sorolla is extraordinary. Do you have a larger image of the painting that is at the top of your column? I’ve not seen that one anywhere and would like to see a larger version. (The two main figures walking to the left.) Thank you!
Potter
Here’s a slightly larger version
http://inoils.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/sorolla1.jpg
i am in Madrid at the moment and was dissapointed not to see the exhibition in the Prado, however i have just visited the Museo Soralla and walked around the house where he lived and had his studio. It is amazing a real treat.