Joaquín Sorolla Valencia 1863-Madrid 1923

Sale: Subastas Duran, Madrid, 30 March 1989
Purchased by the present owner at the above sale

The panel is sound. There are a few small spots of retouching towards the lower right corner, otherwise the work is in good overall condition. Held in a plaster moulded gilt wood frame with a linen slip.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Painted circa 1900 in Villagarcía de Arosa when Sorolla visited Vigo and Pontevedra in Galicia with his family.

The holiday followed his triumph at the Paris Salon in May where he showed five works and was rewarded for his efforts with the Grand Prix, in particular for his painting Triste Herencia. On his arrival in Paris to receive his accolade he met fellow visitors John Singer Sargent, Giovanni Boldini, Anders Zorn and Peder Severin Krøyer. And during his stay he was fêted by Francisco Domingo, Carlos Durán, Leon Bonnat, Jules-Joseph Benjamin-Constant and Jean Léon Gérôme.  

His success in Paris was celebrated with dinners in his honour in both Madrid and Valencia. Valencia also conveyed on him the title 'favourite and right worthy son of the city' and named a street in his honour: Calle del Pintor Sorolla. 

In the face of such public exposure and popular adulation, Galicia was a welcome reprieve for the artist, as the spontaneous nature of the present work suggests.