The friendship between Joaquín Sorolla and Pedro Gil Moreno was characterized by mutual admiration and collaboration in art. Pedro Gil, a lawyer and politician, found in Sorolla not only a prominent painter, but also a close friend, particularly through family meetings in Valencia and Madrid. Gil's wife, characterized by her serenity and elegance, was portrayed on multiple occasions by Sorolla, transforming herself into a personal atmosphere that the artist reflected in his paintings. Pedro was the one who accompanied Sorolla on his first trip to Paris, where the painter discovered modern painting and influenced the artist with his artistic tastes and his knowledge of the art world. His friendship was consolidated in Rome and they maintained an intense correspondence that is currently preserved in the archive of the Sorolla Museum.

Lot 406. JOAQUÍN SOROLLA BASTIDA.
Coastal view with children. Signed and dedicated to Pedro Gil-Moreno.

In the pictures and notes of Sorolla beaches, where the sea breeze and light reflect the sea breeze, you can feel that spontaneity that also characterized its quick notes, small oils or drawings made on the fly to capture a gesture or an atmosphere. The drawing we present in Balclis, dedicated to Pedro Gil, reveals the sharpness of the artist’s eye and his ability to condense emotions into a brushstroke. This piece is closely linked to another note from the same time dedicated to María Gil, Pedro’s wife, which was also auctioned at Balclis in 2012.

JOAQUÍN SOROLLA. Note
Signed and dedicated to Marí to Gil, wife of Pedro Gil-Moreno. Submitted on 12/07/2012 in Balclis.

The friendship with Gil and his environment inspired Sorolla a more human, more intimate look, which was reflected not only in his portraits but also in these beach scenes where life takes place with peace and naturalness. The participation of Pedro Gil Moreno and his wife in the life of Sorolla fueled their artistic world. The gentleness of María Gil, often characterized as a woman with great sensitivity and culture, provided Sorolla with a model of sophistication and naturalness. His character is shown in certain private portraits, where the artist hints at a proximity that transcends mere commission. Through these, Sorolla not only captures the physical aspect, but also the emotional environment that surrounds the Gils: a combination of affection, respect and serenity in the home

In addition, the meetings between Sorolla and Pedro Gil were usually accompanied by long conversations about art, politics and society: The friendship between Pedro Gil and Joaquín Sorolla is an example of how personal relationships enrich the art and work of an artist. These notes, the basis of many of his great beach compositions, have an immediate and vibrant character that reflects not only the technical skill of the artist, but also the spontaneity of his personal ties. Both sketches, both dedicated to Pedro and his wife, were created by Sorolla using linear framing. This technique, frequent in the artist’s rapid sketches, reflects his ability to identify the potential in some strokes that could be framed.

Lot 406. JOAQUÍN SOROLLA BASTIDA
Reverse