Madrid
Completed

Sorolla en negro: Discover Joaquín Sorolla's Unexpected Exploration of Black in His Art

This exhibition challenges conventional views of Sorolla's palette by examining dark tones in his acclaimed works.

Delve into 'Sorolla en negro,' an insightful exhibition that recontextualizes Joaquín Sorolla's masterful use of light by highlighting the profound role of black in his art. This presentation offers a unique perspective on the celebrated Spanish painter's artistic journey. It invites visitors to appreciate the often-overlooked depth and complexity present in his lesser-known dark-toned compositions. The curated works reveal how black contributes to the dramatic power and emotional resonance across his oeuvre.

About Sorolla en negro at Sorolla Museum in Madrid

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Sorolla en negro at Sorolla Museum in Madrid

Exhibition summary

This exhibition explores the unexpected use of the color black in the works of Joaquín Sorolla, the painter renowned for his mastery of light and color. It challenges the conventional understanding of his palette by examining the presence and significance of black and grey tones in his oeuvre.

Curatorial context

The exhibition "Sorolla en negro" (Sorolla in Black) delves into a less-explored aspect of Joaquín Sorolla's artistic output: his engagement with the color black. Known primarily as the "painter of light," Sorolla's oeuvre is typically associated with vibrant Mediterranean hues. However, this exhibition posits that black, often seen as the antithesis of color and light, is also notably present in his work. The exhibition challenges the traditional critical narrative surrounding Sorolla, and even his contemporaries' perceptions, by suggesting that the color black is not at odds with his artistic poetics but rather offers another viewpoint for understanding his complexity as an artist. Curated by Carlos Reyero Hermosilla, with collaboration from Blanca Pons-Sorolla, the exhibition is the result of extensive research into Sorolla's painting and the aesthetic and cultural valuation of blacks and grays in late 19th and early 20th-century art. The exhibition stems from a curatorial proposal that questions the apparent paradox of associating Sorolla with black. It invites visitors to consider whether this association is a contradiction or a means to a deeper appreciation of the artist's full range. While the intense light of the Mediterranean, vibrant colors, and myriad whites define Sorolla, the exhibition highlights how black, as darkness itself, also features significantly on his palette. This exploration aims to broaden the understanding of Sorolla's artistic vision, revealing a more nuanced and complex painter than is often perceived.

Admission and ticket notes

Information regarding ticketing and admission is not available on this historical exhibition listing page. Visitors are advised to check the museum's main website for current ticketing details for ongoing exhibitions.

Sorolla en negro key exhibition facts

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

Venue
Sorolla Museum
Current status
Completed
Exhibition schedule
Jul 12, 2022 – Nov 27, 2022
Artist line / attribution
Comisariada por Carlos Reyero Hermosilla, con la colaboración de Blanca Pons-Sorolla.
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