WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.- The Norton Museum of Art is presenting Sorolla and the Sea, a selection of approximately 40 works by Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library, a free, public museum and reference library in New York City dedicated to the study of art and culture of Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and the Philippines. Among the works on loan from the Hispanic Society are three works by Sorolla’s Spanish contemporaries, presenting a greater view of Sorolla and the coastal landscapes he painted. Two works by Sorolla from the Norton’s Collection have also been included in the exhibition.

On view from November 23, 2024, to April 13, 2025, Sorolla and the Sea marks the first time this collection from the Hispanic Society has left New York in over 100 years.

Sorolla, one of Spain’s most celebrated painters, is well known for his love of the Mediterranean, his unique ability to showcase the character of its people, and his incredible depiction of light. This exhibition is the first large-scale solo presentation of a 20th century European painter at the Norton in 18 years.

“My vision for this exhibition is that Sorolla’s landscapes, seascapes, portraits, and depictions of the people of Spain will inspire visitors to continue to explore European masterworks from his contemporaries and influences in the Norton’s Collection,” said Ghislain d’Humières, Kenneth C. Griffin Director and CEO. “Sorolla is one of my favorite artists and I hope he becomes a favorite of our visitors as well.”

Known as the “Spanish painter of light,” Sorolla was renowned for his beach and sea scenes, inspired by the Valencian coast where he grew up. Though he lived in Madrid, he often returned to Valencia to study light and paint his beloved beach scenes. He is considered Spain’s last great traditional painter and was one of Europe’s leading artists, balancing the Spanish tradition of Realism with the Modernist trends of the day, like unmixed colors and freer brushwork. Both American painter John Singer Sargent and French Impressionist Claude Monet claimed Sorolla as an influence, with Monet calling Sorolla “The Master of Light” for his depictions of light on water, a subject Monet also loved. Visitors to this exhibition can also see works by Sargent and Monet on view in the Norton’s Collection.

“It is an incredible opportunity to debut these paintings in Florida, let alone in a coastal location that so closely aligns with Sorolla’s own surroundings when he created these works. His influence on well-known Impressionist and Modernist painters cannot be overstated, and we hope our visitors walk away with a deeper understanding of this important Spanish painter,” said Rachel Gustafson, Chief Curatorial Operations and Research Officer.

The exhibition, divided into five sections, starts by exploring Sorolla’s “Life and Work,” with self-portraits from 1907 and 1909, as well as one of Sorolla’s paint palettes, providing an intimate look at his tools. A bronze bust of Sorolla by Mariano Benlliure y Gil gives visitors a three-dimensional view of Sorolla captured while painting. A work from the Norton’s Collection depicting a close friend of Sorolla’s, Portrait of Enrique Recio y Gil, circa 1885–1888, will join this section. The “Plein- Air” section highlights paintings the artist completed outdoors, including a portrait of Louis Comfort Tiffany from 1911 that shows the American artist and designer outside among the colorful flowers along the seaside. Other views of Valencia and the coast highlight the natural beauty that surrounded Sorolla while he painted.

In “Beach Scenes,” Sorolla depicts working- and middle-class families and individuals lounging in the waves, enjoying leisure time and relaxation – new subject matter at the time. This section features Sea Idyll, 1908, which depicts two young people lying in the surf, with reflective water swirling around them. In contrast, “The Fisherman’s Life” showcases the people of Valencia at work, and includes Beaching the Boat (Afternoon Light), 1903, a monumental scene of men and their crew of oxen pulling boats to shore. Beaching the Boat has been at the Norton on long-term loan from the Hispanic Society since June 2021 and has become a visitor favorite.

Finally, in “The Vision of Spain,” Sorolla’s sketches and studies, including installation plans for Vision of Spain, a series of 14 monumental canvases commissioned in 1911 by the Hispanic Society. These murals shine a spotlight on each of Spain’s regions and the people who call them home.

"Joaquín Sorolla's works hold a substantial importance for the Hispanic Society Museum & Library, who played a critical role in the appreciation of his art in the
U.S. and internationally,” says Guillaume Kientz, CEO and Director of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library. “Our iconic Sorolla Gallery, dedicated to his masterpieces, stands as a testament to his enduring genius. We are thrilled to bring the Sorolla and the Sea exhibition to The Norton, offering an unparalleled opportunity for new audiences to discover and appreciate his profound impact on art history. His exceptional talent and vision continue to inspire and captivate, deserving recognition and appreciation at their true value."

Sorolla and the Sea was organized by The Hispanic Society of America, with support from The Museum Box.