A new exhibition opened tonight, Friday, March 4, 2016 at Munich’s Kunsthalle. For the first time in Germany the Kunsthalle in Munich is presenting a comprehensive retrospective by the Spanish artist, Joaquín Sorolla (1863–1923). A native of Valencia, the artist had the unparalleled ability to capture the southern light in paint; his sun-drenched works even impressed contemporaries like Claude Monet.

The retrospective at the Kunsthalle traces Sorolla’s career from his early social realist works, through his Impressionist-influenced period, to the maturing of his art into his own unique style. The exhibition includes 120 works from the artist’s entire career, from his early paintings in Paris, in which the influence of the French Impressionists is clearly evident, right through to the distinctive pictures that reflect the maturing of his art into his own unmistakable style that was celebrated throughout Europe and the USA. In addition to Spanish landscapes and beach scenes, perspective portraits are recurring themes in his work. Moreover, the exhibition focuses in particular on the large-format paintings that attracted such attention in the Paris Salon.

Joaquín Sorolla is considered the most important Spanish artist of the turn of the century. Surprisingly, his work is virtually unknown in Germany today. Therefore, it is high time to rediscover this “master of light”. The paintings and oil sketches are borrowed from significant private collections and museums worldwide, with most being shown in Germany for the first time.

“When do I paint? Always. I’m painting now while I look at you and speak with you.” Joaquín Sorolla, 1909

“That isn’t painting. It is an abduction of light and color from nature.” Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, 1887

You can visit the exhibition at the Kunsthalle Munich until July 3, 2016. Daily opening hours of the Kunsthalle der Hypo- Kulturstiftung at the Theatinerstrasse 8 in 80333 Munich are 10am until 8pm. Tickets are available from here.