Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida (1863-1923)

Playa de Biarritz (The Beach at Biarritz)

Details

Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida (1863-1923)
Playa de Biarritz (The Beach at Biarritz)
signed, dated and dedicated 'J. Sorolla B. 1906 a la Sra. de Urcola Sorolla' (lower left)
oil on board
6 x 8.5/8 in. (16 x 21.9 cm.)
Painted in 1906

Provenance

Mrs. de Urcola

Literature

A. de Beruete, Eight Essays on Sorolla, New York, 1909, pp. 413 and 427, no. 136 (illustrated).
I. Moreno de Quito, Sorolla en Guipuzcoa, San Sebastian, 1992, p. 328 (illustrated).

Exhibited

New York, The Hispanic Society of America, 1909, no. 136.

Lot Essay

Playa de Biarritz was painted in the summer of 1906 after Sorolla's triumphant exhibition at Galerie George Petit in Paris. The Urcola family, to whom he dedicated the painting, were his great friends and he painted their portraits on numerous occasions. Working en plein air, Sorolla painted quickly on small panels (or even cigarbox tops) to capture the effects of light and color. He called these works "apuntes" and their sponeniety illustrates his mastery in capturing a scene with just a few brushstrokes.

Blanca Pons Sorolla has examined and confirmed the authenticity of this painting.