Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida

Happy Birthday Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida!! After deciding to become an artist at age 15, the Spanish painter, born in 1863, went to Madrid at age 18, copying Old Masters’ works. He won a grant to Rome four years later and studied painting. Sorolla is considered a Realist/Impressionist, and was expert at painting the effects of light. This expertise is evidenced in A Walk on the Beach; note the beautiful handling of sunlight on the women’s white garments and umbrellas. He was enamored with the sea and has many seascapes to his credit.