What do you say about a man who is renowned as the most internationally famous Spanish painter of his time? 

From September 17, 2023, through January 7, 2024, the Meadows Museum of Dallas commemorates the 100-year anniversary of Sorolla’s death with Spanish Light: Sorolla in American Collections. It is one of only two exhibitions being held in the United States.

The nude of his wife Clothide, gazing upon her wedding ring. Photo: Guy Rogers III, Meadows Museum

Born in Valencia, Spain, Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida began to hone his craft at only twelve years old. By his early 20s, Sorolla was traveling frequently to Madrid to present his work at the annual Exposiciøn Nacional de Bellas Artes. In 1893, his work was exhibited for the first time in the United States at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. He won the only medal awarded. 

Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida (Spanish, 1863–1923), The White Boat (El bote blanco. Jávea), 1905. Oil on canvas. 21 1/8 x 59 in. (105 x 150 cm). Cristina H. Noble. Photo: Personal Archive, Blanca Pons-Sorolla, Madrid.

Sorolla’s career and success progressed quickly. He held his first solo exhibition in Paris in 1906, paving the way for his traveling exposition at the Hispanic Society of America in New York, the Copley Society of Boston, and Buffalo Fine Arts Academy. Sorolla presented 356 works, and 195 were purchased over the course of the exhibition. His success both professionally and personally was established. Sorolla said, “Light beautifies and purifies everything,” and he conveyed this in his work. 

Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida (Spanish, 1863–1923), Beach of Valencia (Playa de Valencia), 1904. Oil on canvas, 24 1/2 x 26 in. (62 x 66 cm). Karen W. Davidson. Photo: Personal Archive, Blanca Pons-Sorolla, Madrid.

Sadly, Sorolla suffered a stroke in the summer of 1920. He never painted again. He died at his family home in August 1923 at the age of 60. Upon the death of his wife Clothide just six years later, the family home and her collection of Sorolla’s paintings were donated to the Spanish state for the creation of a museum. The museum opened in 1932. 

Joaquín SOROLLA y Bastida (1863–1923) The Blind Man of Toledo (El ciego de Toledo), 1906 Oil on canvas (óleo sobre lienzo). Meadows Museum, SMU, Dallas. Museum purchase, The Meadows Foundation Fund with private donations, MM.03.01. Photo by Kevin Todora.

Spanish Light features some of the most emblematic works of Sorolla’s oeuvre, including rarely seen paintings from American private collections, some of which will be seen by the public for the first time. Of the thirty-two paintings currently on view at the Meadows, four are part of the Meadows Museum permanent collection, one is on long-term loan to the Meadows from a Spanish collection, and the others are held in private American collections.

Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida (Spanish, 1863–1923), Garden of the Adarves, Alhambra, Granada (Jardín de los Adarves. Granada), 1910. Oil on canvas, 32 1/8 x 42 in. (81.6 x 106.9 cm). Dr. Segovia Collection. Photo: Personal Archive, Blanca Pons-Sorolla, Madrid.

The compositions presented in Spanish Light showcase the range of his work, including portraits, landscapes, and gardens, and some of his most emblematic work, the sea and seaside landscapes. 

Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida (Spanish, 1863–1923), Beach of Valencia (Playa de Valencia), 1908. Oil on canvas, 26 x 37 ¾ in. (66 x 96 cm). Cristina H. Noble. Photo: Personal Archive, Blanca Pons-Sorolla, Madrid.

Spanish Light offers an extraordinary opportunity to see Sorolla’s work through the lens of his American collectors. The exhibition was curated by scholar Blanca Pons-Sorolla, the artist’s great-granddaughter. She is an author and independent researcher of Sorolla’s work. In 2009, she received the Sorolla Medal from the Hispanic Society of America (New York). 

I’d like to personally thank Blanca Pons-Sorolla for her enlightening and thoughtful commentary and the beautiful catalog she co-created for the exhibition. 

Photo: Guy Rogers III, Meadows Museum

This is not the first time for the Meadows Museum to feature the works of Sorolla. The first was in 2013. You can read more about Sorolla and the first Meadows exhibition here.

Photo: Guy Rogers III, Meadows Museum

Penny Sadler is a freelance writer and content provider for consumer and B2C platforms worldwide. Her works appear in numerous publications including Inside Hook, Cheese Professor, Vintner Project, Wine 365, Wine Country Media, and other outlets. She is always planning her next trip, usually another fabulous wine region. Curious about life and people, her glass is always full. Find her at  www.pennysadler.com and http://adventuresofacarryon.com/