Artwork

Las tres velas

Las tres velas, by Joaquín Sorolla, oil, 1903
Las tres velas, by Joaquín Sorolla, oil, 1903

Las tres velas is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Joaquín Sorolla. It dates from 1903 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister.

About this work

Overview

Las tres velas, an oil painting from 1903 by Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida, captures a dynamic beach scene characterized by the interplay of wind, light, and everyday life.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts four women walking along the shore, their attire billowing in the breeze, accompanied by a basket, a baby, and a headscarf. Three sailboats in the background underscore the scene's emphasis on the effects of wind and natural movement.

Technique & Style

Sorolla employs loose, rapid brushstrokes, suggestive of immediacy, to convey the scene's vitality. The palette features soft blues, whites, and earthy browns, set against a pale sky and choppy waves, evoking a warm, sunny day.

History & Provenance

Created in 1903, Las tres velas is part of the collection at the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, highlighting Sorolla's contribution to impressionist landscape painting with a Spanish twist.

Context

Reflecting Sorolla's penchant for capturing Spanish life under bright sunlight, Las tres velas blends impressionist techniques with a serene, everyday Spanish coastal scene.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of Las tres velas are not highlighted, the work contributes to Sorolla's broader reputation for vibrant, light-infused depictions of Spanish culture and landscapes.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Joaquín Sorolla

Artist

Joaquín Sorolla

Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida (27 February 1863 – 10 August 1923) was a Spanish painter.