ART ONLINE: An Idyll Among the Flowers

One must look closely to discover this idyll in the forest. A young woman and a young man hide within the weave of the foliage, perhaps to avoid indiscreet glances or to escape the punishment of their elders. She appears fearful, hesitant. He seems more resolute, hat in hand. They are, on closer inspection, almost children, responding to the first calls of love. Flowers and leaves shelter them in this forbidden adventure.

Joaquín Sorolla suggests a story that the viewer is invited to complete. The clues are on the canvas, presented with exemplary subtlety. It is that art so distinctly his, defining characters and intentions with just a few brushstrokes. And yet, how much truth. And yet, how much poetry.

But Sorolla is, above all, a painter of atmospheres. In front of this painting, one might feel the coolness of the afternoon. In front of this painting, as involuntary onlookers, one can sense the reign of a feeling. Joaquín Sorolla knew how to recreate the immense influence of certain small episodes in life.

Joaquín Sorolla (1863–1923) was a Spanish painter renowned for his mastery in capturing light and the beauty of nature and everyday life. Over the course of his career, he developed an Impressionist style characterized by vibrant color and loose brushwork, conveying sensitivity and movement in his works. Sorolla was a prolific artist who explored subjects such as landscapes, family scenes, and Spanish customs. The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Havana holds an important collection of works by this distinguished artist.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff