Madrid
Permanent collection

Joaquín Sorolla's 'Mis hijos': Exploring the Influential Family Portrait at Sorolla Museum

This renowned 1904 oil painting showcases Sorolla's children, drawing inspiration from iconic Spanish masters like Velázquez.

Joaquín Sorolla's significant 1904 oil painting 'Mis hijos' (My Children) is a highlight within the Sorolla Museum's collection. This ambitious artwork depicts the artist's three children, Joaquín, María, and Elena, and is a powerful demonstration of his mature style. Discover its impressive scale and intricate composition, which thoughtfully echoes masterpieces such as Velázquez's 'Las Meninas' and John Singer Sargent's influential portraits. The painting's international exhibition history during Sorolla's lifetime underlines its enduring artistic importance.

About Mis hijos at Sorolla Museum in Madrid

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Mis hijos at Sorolla Museum in Madrid

Exhibition summary

Sorolla's 1904 oil painting 'Mis hijos' (My Children) presents the artist's three children: Joaquín, María, and Elena. The artwork is notable for its ambitious scale and composition, drawing inspiration from Velázquez's 'Las Meninas' and John Singer Sargent's 'The Daughters of Edward VII'.

Curatorial context

Sorolla's 'Mis hijos,' painted in 1904, is a significant oil on canvas measuring 160.5 x 230.5 cm, cataloged with inventory number 651. The painting features the artist's three children: Joaquín, and seated figures of his eldest daughter María and youngest daughter Elena. The artist's decision to exhibit this work internationally during his lifetime underscores its importance beyond its familial subject matter, serving as a demonstration of his artistic progress and mature style. The composition intentionally echoes the grandeur and ambition of earlier masterpieces. Sorolla clearly aimed to elevate a family portrait to a level that transcended its intimate origins, with repeated comparisons drawn to Diego Velázquez's iconic 'Las Meninas.' Similarities include the deep spatial development behind the figures, the inclusion of a prepared canvas within the frame hinting at the artistic process, and a powerful atmospheric suggestion. Furthermore, the work's connection to John Singer Sargent's 'The Daughters of Edward VII,' exhibited in Paris in 1883 and likely known to Sorolla, is also frequently noted.

Mis hijos key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Mis hijos at Sorolla Museum in Madrid

Venue
Sorolla Museum
Current status
Permanent collection
Exhibition schedule
Permanent display (no announced closing date)
Artist line / attribution
Joaquín Sorolla painted 'Mis hijos' in 1904.
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