Portrait of the Painter Francesco Santoro, Rome

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Artist: Joaquín Sorolla (Spanish, 1863–1923)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 28 5/8 × 18 1/2 in. (72.71 × 46.99 cm) (sight)
Museum: Minneapolis Institute of Art
Rights: Public Domain Mark

Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida is known as one of the most prominent Spanish Impressionist painters. From a young age Sorolla showed his talent as an artist – by the age of 15 he won prizes for his work at the Academy of Valencia. A scholarship the artist received in 1885 allowed him to travel to Rome, where he painted this portrait of his friend and fellow artist, Francesco Santoro (1844─1927). Sorolla’s attention and sensitivity to light is evident in the large, confident brushstrokes that give the figure a golden aura, and broad pink highlights across the face, ears, and jacket sleeve. Note also the delicate glint atop Santoro’s hat and pinky ring.

Text: Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia), CC BY 4.0.