Sorolla y Bastida, Joaquin

Valencian Fishermen, 65 x 85 cm

The Spanish painter Sorolla was a master who often exploited the compositional possibilities of fishermen and their boats in the surf. The eye of the viewer is led on an interesting path of alternating shadow and highlight, from the lower left to the upper right of the scene. The shadow of the figure on the left, and the arm of the figure in the boat connect the subjects to the frame, which completes the circuit.

Joaquin Sorolla - Spanish

Barcas en la Playa,

22 x 37 inches

The lively dance of Sorolla's brush gives  his paintings their spirit and energy. The only way to get this kind of confident fluency is to spend a lot of time painting. Sorolla seems to have been very prolific in his output.

Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida

The energy of the brushwork recalls the work of Van Gogh. The orange and blue areas intensify each other.

Sorolla - Spanish

Taking out the Boat


Mending the Sail, 1904

Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida - Spanish

Estudio de playa (Beach Study), 23.3 x 35 cm

Sails provide interesting shapes for a composition.

Joaquin Sorolla - Spanish

Boats Leaving the Harbour, Asturias, 9 x 16 cm

 
Boats on the Beach, 20 x 30 cm

Midday Light

Neapolitan Children Bathing, 1879, 267 x 413 cm

Very dark, short shadows give the feeling of bright midday sun.

I had incorrectly attributed this work to the Spanish impressionist Sorolla, but it is actually by the American impressionist John Singer Sargent.

Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida - Spanish

Beaching the Boat

Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida (1863 - 1923) - Spanish

Promenade


After the Bath


Mallorca

Joachin Sorolla y Bastida

Infancia