Sorolla Museum

The Sorolla Museum in Madrid, located in an elegant palace on Paseo del General Martínez Campos, is one of the best-preserved house-museums in Europe. Founded in 1932, the museum was created by the will of Clotilde García del Castillo, widow of the famous painter Joaquín Sorolla, to transform their residence and studio into a museum to honor her husband’s memory. The building, designed by architect Enrique María Repullés, harmoniously combines living and working spaces, surrounded by a charming Andalusian-style garden. Sorolla, famous for his ability to capture the Mediterranean light, has left an indelible mark on Spanish and international painting. The museum’s collection includes over 1200 paintings, including masterpieces such as “Walk along the beach” and “The horse’s bath”, which highlight his mastery in capturing brightness and movement. In addition to paintings, the museum houses a vast collection of drawings, sculptures, and ceramics, many of which were acquired by Sorolla during his travels throughout Spain. A distinctive feature of the Sorolla Museum is its garden, designed by the artist himself. Inspired by the gardens of the Alhambra and the Alcázar of Seville, the garden is divided into three areas, each characterized by a combination of fountains, azulejos, and lush vegetation. This space not only reflects Sorolla’s personal taste but also offers an oasis of tranquility in the heart of Madrid. The museum’s history is closely linked to the Sorolla family. After the painter’s death in 1923, Clotilde worked to fulfill her husband’s wish to see their home transformed into a museum. Despite economic and political difficulties, the couple’s children managed to make this dream come true, donating numerous works and personal items to the museum. Joaquín Sorolla García, the artist’s son, was the first director of the museum and significantly contributed to the expansion of the collection. During the Spanish Civil War, the museum was closed and only reopened in 1941. Since then, it has undergone various transformations and renovations to preserve and enhance the artistic and historical heritage it houses. In 1962, the palace was declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument, consolidating its status as a culturally significant institution. Among the most fascinating anecdotes related to the museum is the creation of the “Vision of Spain”, a series of large panels commissioned by the Hispanic Society of America, for which Sorolla traveled extensively throughout Spain to portray the country’s different regions and cultures. These works, not exhibited at the Sorolla Museum but an integral part of his legacy, testify to the artist’s ambition and talent in capturing the essence of Spanish life. The Sorolla Museum offers a unique experience, allowing visitors to delve into the life and work of one of the greatest Spanish painters of the 20th century. Each room, each painting, each object tells a part of Sorolla’s personal and artistic story, making the visit not only a journey into art but also an immersion into the daily life of an extraordinary family.