Stormy Afternoon (Tarde Tormentosa)

Joaquín Sorolla

Oil on canvas

Museo Soumaya

This evocative seascape captures the dramatic atmosphere of a stormy day on the Spanish coast, with fishing boats moored against an overcast sky. Painted by Joaquín Sorolla, known as the 'Master of Light,' this work demonstrates his exceptional ability to capture atmospheric conditions and the interplay of light and shadow even on cloudy days. Born in Valencia in 1863 and orphaned at age two, Sorolla rose to become one of Spain's most celebrated painters, mastering a distinctive variant of Impressionism characterized by vigorous brushstrokes and brilliant colors that vividly portray the Spanish coastline. Currently housed in the Museo Soumaya in Mexico City, this piece exemplifies Sorolla's lifelong fascination with Mediterranean maritime scenes and his masterful handling of rapidly changing weather conditions.