- 23
Joaquín Sorolla
Estimate
70,000 - 90,000 GBP
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Description
- La Bilbainita
- signed and dated J. Sorolla 1917 lower right
- oil on canvas
- 85 by 59cm., 33½ by 23in.
Provenance
Blas Tello collection, Sevilla, circa 1930; thence by descent to the present owner
Condition
The canvas has not been lined. There is some fine drying craquelure visible in the thick white impasto of the woman's dress; however, this appears to be stable. Ultra-violet light reveals no visible sign of retouching. This work appears to be in good original condition and ready to hang.
Presented in a decorative gilt frame.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The subject of the present work is the Basque dancer and performer Natividad (Nati) Álvarez or La Bilbainita, a celebrity in her day, famous both at home and abroad (fig. 1). Engaging coquettishly with the viewer in mid dance, La Bilbainita, literally the 'girl from Bilbao' – is not just a charming and spontaneous portrait, but demonstrates Sorolla’s versatility at painting the many faces of Spain. Sorolla painted her in 1917, whilst working on the monumental Vision of Spain series, commissioned by Archer Huntington for the Hispanic Society in New York. For this commission, comprising fourteen life-size panels depicting the regions of Spain, Sorolla travelled throughout the country to study the local costumes, people, and landscapes of its different regions.
In a letter to Clotilde of 19 April 1914, Sorolla writes to her of his visits with his nieces to La Ruzafa, in Seville, to see La Bilbainita perform.
In a letter to Clotilde of 19 April 1914, Sorolla writes to her of his visits with his nieces to La Ruzafa, in Seville, to see La Bilbainita perform.