Thinking about visiting Madrid and looking for some interesting sites to visit during your stay—sites that are a bit off the “beaten path?” Do you have an interest in Spanish art, particularly the work of Joaquin Sorolla? If so, the Museo Sorolla, or Sorolla Museum, is definitely something you should add to your tour schedule. Below we have compiled a brief profile of the Museo Sorolla, including some information regarding its history and the collection that comprises it.
Museo Sorolla: Facts and History
The building that houses Madrid’s Museo Sorolla was originally the artist’s (Joaquin Sorolla) house. Sorolla died in August of 1923 at the age of 60, and in 1925, following her late husband’s wishes, Sorolla’s widow, Clotilde Garcia del Castillo, decided to heir the house and its collection to the State upon her death. Castillo died in 1929, and the State assumed the property on March 28, 1931. On June 11, 1932 the museum finally opened to the public.
The original director/curator of the Museo Sorolla was none other than Joaquin Sorolla Garcia, the only son of the elder Joaquin and Clotilde. This, again, was the wish of the artist and the State was more than happy to oblige. He would oversee the house and collection until his own death in 1948, at which time more funds were bequeathed to the State—funds that are now owned by the Museo Sorolla Foundation. In 1962, the museum earned the honor of being named a Bien de Interes Cultural, and since 1973 the museum has been overseen by the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
Museo Sorolla: Collection
Joaquin Sorolla was an Impressionist artist originally from the city of Valencia. His home, in which the collection is now displayed, was a studio-mansion built between the years of 1910 and 1911, and since his death in 1923, all of his paintings and drawings have been meticulously preserved inside the home. This includes a canvas he was working on just prior to his death, with the brushes still on display next to the unfinished work.
Sorolla painted in several different styles, although he is perhaps best known for his gorgeously-lit Mediterranean beach scenes. Most of his paintings and drawings feature tranquil and serene scenes, mostly of the sea, children and women. Tourists who visit the Museo Sorolla will be treated to all of the painter’s styles, including some very impressive drawings and portraiture. He was also an avid art collector during the course of his life, and the objects he amassed are also exhibited at the museum, including some noteworthy ceramics and tiles. The manicured grounds of the museum offer an additional special treat to visitors, particularly the Andalusia-styled garden which can also be visited.
The Museo Sorolla is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. It is closed on Mondays and all major holidays.
