Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida
1863-1923
Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida is one of the most important Spanish painters and draughtsmen of Impressionism.
His drawing talent was recognised at a young age. This is why his family enabled him to receive an artistic education at the Spanish art academy Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Carlos de Valencia. During a study visit to Rome in 1885, he became a student of the Spanish painter Francisco Pradilla y Ortiz. In the same year, he travelled to Paris for the first time. The works of the French Impressionists were to have a lasting influence on the young artist. After his return to Spain, Sorolla settled in Madrid and initially turned to historical themes. The influence of Impressionism brightened his colour palette and influenced his motifs more and more over the course of the following years.
