The city of Valencia is celebrating the return of its most famous artistic son with the opening of the largest-ever exhibition of Joaquín Sorolla’s work, showcasing 109 of his paintings at the Bancaja Foundation.
Titled En el mar de Sorolla con Manuel Vicent (In Sorolla’s Sea with Manuel Vicent), the exhibition brings together the painter’s luminous visions of the Mediterranean alongside reflective literary contributions by renowned Valencian writer Manuel Vicent.
Tribute to the Mediterranean and Valencian spirit
The exhibition immerses visitors in the Mediterranean world that Sorolla so vividly captured—its light, colours, and the essence of Valencian life. Located in the historic Plaza Tetuán, the exhibition transforms the gallery space into a visual sea, invoking the richness and beauty of the Mediterranean coast. Moreover, Manuel Vicent, who collaborated on the exhibit, describes Sorolla’s work as an “unrepeatable miracle,” with each brushstroke capturing the “feeling of being Valencian.”
Rare inclusion of some masterpieces
The exhibition, hailed as a cultural landmark, is notable not only for its scale but also for the rare inclusion of masterpieces that seldom leave the Museo Sorolla in Madrid. Among the highlights are Saliendo del baño (Leaving the Bath), La hora del baño, Valencia (Bathing Time, Valencia), and Pescadores valencianos (Valencian Fishermen), which bring to life Sorolla’s deep connection to the sea and Valencian daily life.
A literary perspective on Sorolla
Vicent explores his personal connection to Sorolla’s works through his own memories of the sea and the city. The writer considers the project as a diologue between two forms of art – literature and painting – set against the backdrop of Valencia. “I’m a Valencian in Madrid, like Sorolla was,” Vicent said.
The writer delves into Sorolla’s imagery, linking it to the Valencian spirit—a place where joy and hardship coexist. “A Valencian might be suffering, but they’re already thinking about enjoying a paella later,” Vicent remarked. Herewith, highlighting the duality of the region’s character that Sorolla’s work so beautifully embodies.
Themed sections capturing Sorolla’s world
The exhibition is organised into four thematic sections. The Subconscious is Full of Seaweed showcases playful depictions of children at the beach, illustrating Sorolla’s talent for capturing innocence and joy. A Naturalist Drama Under Mediterranean Light delves into the lives of fishermen and women, portraying both the harsh and beautiful aspects of life by the sea. Bourgeois Summer Holidays in Cabanyal features scenes of Valencia’s upper class enjoying the seaside, reflecting the city’s social vibrancy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Finally, In the Sea of Xàbia transports visitors to the scenic coastal enclave of Xàbia, a place beloved by both Sorolla and Vicent. Together, these sections provide a multifaceted exploration of the Mediterranean’s beauty, challenges, and its profound cultural significance to Valencia.
A must-see event
The exhibition, which opens to the public on October 4th and runs until March 9th, 2025, marks a significant cultural moment for Valencia. Rafael Alcón, president of the Bancaja Foundation, described it as part of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to celebrating Sorolla’s legacy, noting that they have hosted over 20 Sorolla exhibitions in the last decade.