“An informative and entertaining evening by a lecturer totally in command of her subject. I had never heard of Sorolla before last night and I was enthralled.”
This was one of the many enthusiastic comments made by members and guests of the Arts Society Wokingham who attended the Society’s March lecture.
Jacqueline Cockburn, a specialist in Spanish art, gave a beautifully illustrated talk on Joaquin Sorolla, one of Spain’s most extraordinary artists, who lived from 1863 to 1923.
He was a prolific painter. By the age of 22, he had created a portfolio of more than 140 paintings.
He moved to Paris where he exhibited his work which was popular with visiting American buyers. In 1909, he held an exhibition of 350 works in New York and sold almost half of them.
He idolised Velasquez and developed the 17th-century master’s use of pigment to great effect. The Impressionists also influenced him. Like them, he enjoyed painting outside, especially seascapes.
Many of his most famous paintings featured the sunny coastline of Valencia as you can see in this detail from The Return from Fishing.
Here you can see his use of thick brush strokes creating a feeling of sun light, texture and warmth. He painted his subjects unposed, going about their normal lives.
Many of the audience were unaware of Sorolla’s work but by the end of the evening they understood why there has been a resurgence of interest in this amazing painter of light and colour in the past 15 years.
In contrast, the Society’s April lecture will examine Picasso’s famous painting Guernica. Paul Chapman, the well-known art historian and National Gallery guide, will explain why it is much more than a depiction of the Spanish Civil War.
This illustrated talk is on Monday, April 17, at King’s Academy, Binfield.
The school has excellent facilities including a well-lit car park and plenty of space to mingle while enjoying tea or coffee and biscuits before the talk starts at 7.45pm.
Guests are always welcome but email memsectheartssocietywham@gmail.com to register beforehand. The talk will also be live-streamed and available to watch from home on the society’s own YouTube channel.
For further details please visit the Society’s website: www.The ArtsSocietyWokingham.org.uk
Sue Bryant
