Recently, I had the great pleasure of visiting the Joaquín Sorolla exhibition at the Fundación Bancaja in Valencia with nine of my students. It was a truly remarkable experience. For me, it was especially thrilling to encounter several paintings that have long remained in the Sorolla family’s private collection, works that earned recognition and awards in academic exhibitions not only in Spain but across Europe and the United States.
Many of the pieces on display were familiar to me, yet seeing them again in person felt like greeting old friends. However, it was the opportunity to view those rarely exhibited works that made this visit particularly meaningful. Having taught about Sorolla’s life and art for many years, finally standing before paintings I had previously only discussed in class felt like a genuine milestone, a “feather in my cap,” so to speak.
I can now honestly say that I’ve seen nearly all of Sorolla’s paintings, save for those housed in New York. The exhibition itself was beautifully curated and offered a cohesive look at his evolution as both an artist and observer of light. It was, without question, an inspiring and enriching experience for both myself and my students.
We concluded the day with a delightful lunch and lively conversation, reflecting on what we had seen, a perfect ending to a thoroughly enjoyable and intellectually rewarding outing.
Artfully Yours, Karla
