SOROLLA: Spanish Master of Light
Where: National Gallery, Sainsbury Wing
When: 18th March - 7th July.
Cost: £16 Mon-Fri, £18 Sat-Sun. (Booking online saves £2)
Walk on The Beach, 1909
It's no secret, nor is it new, that Sorolla's command of light through oils is nothing short of remarkable. The sheer depth and range of white explored in his images is undeniably transportive in its effervescence and standing before most of the paintings here, one can almost feel that saturated heat of Spain on one's face (even on a particularly soggy April afternoon)...
Similarly, the wonderfully wet nature of Sorolla’s oil has a truly fresh feeling, a true juiciness akin to summer fruit or late-afternoon wine (sangria...?). Indeed, his later work after 1900 (which is well represented), sees more of a vigour and gestural gaiety that is palpable, dynamic - indicative of an assured artist content financially, socially, and in family.
Yet, fortunately, we can see some earlier works - works where it feels Sorolla is finding his feet and vision before a true coalescence of subject matter and style. Particularly of note are treatments of his undeniably darkest subjects, that of inherited child disability ('Sad Inheritance', 1899) and filicide ('Another Marguerite', 1892). It feels troubling, even wrong, to see such darkness within a painter so fondly remembered for his luminescence and charming, harmless depictions of contemporary Spanish life, yet it is through this jarring dichotomy that the images take on a truly unique tenderness. This tenderness is arresting - and through accompanying commentary we learn the physical difficulty Sorolla had in depicting scenes of such a nature - yet their presence here brings a fascinating dark dimension to an artist (perhaps understandably) more fondly remembered for his oranges, whites, and blues.
If you have a spare moment, hop on down to the National Gallery and see these beauties in the flesh.