Century-Old Spanish Artwork Revealed to the Public After 140 Years
**The Rediscovery of Joaquín Sorolla’s *Paris Boulevard*: A Masterpiece Makes Its Comeback After More Than a Century**
The realm of art history flourishes on the discoveries and rediscoveries that provide fresh insights into revered artists. This is true for Joaquín Sorolla’s painting, *Paris Boulevard* (1890), which has emerged after being missing for over 130 years. This remarkable artwork, now displayed to the public for the first time, offers a compelling look into the earlier, more somber period of the Spanish artist known for his dynamic Impressionist creations.
### **An Unanticipated Revelation**
Joaquín Sorolla, frequently celebrated as the “master of light,” became renowned for his radiant seascapes, portrayals of joyful beach scenes, and his skill in capturing natural light with astonishing clarity. Nevertheless, *Paris Boulevard*, created during his time in Paris in 1890, signifies a notable shift from his usual subjects. The painting depicts a lively street scene outside a Parisian café at twilight, illustrated in cooler, darker hues reflecting the fading evening light. The composition’s captivating details—such as a soldier resting at a café table and a personal self-portrait of the artist enjoying a cigar—highlight Sorolla’s keen eye for human relationships and the essence of urban life.
The narrative of *Paris Boulevard* takes an enigmatic turn soon after Sorolla’s Parisian sojourn. Following his return to Spain in 1890, he showcased the painting at the National Exhibition and subsequently sold it to a private collector. For years, the painting’s location was a mystery, leading many art historians to assume it was irretrievably lost. However, a recent investigative breakthrough unearthed that the artwork had stayed within the family that first purchased it. This rediscovery, referred to by Ana de la Cueva, president of Spain’s national heritage institution, as a “remarkable investigatory achievement,” highlights the unpredictable journey of art attribution.
### **An Uncommon Opportunity for Art Lovers**
The reemergence of *Paris Boulevard* coincides with the significant retrospective exhibition titled *Sorolla, One Hundred Years of Modernity,* at the Galería de las Colecciones Reales in Madrid, Spain. Scheduled from October 17, 2024, to February 16, 2025, the exhibition showcases 77 of Sorolla’s artworks, charting the progress of his artistic development.
The inclusion of *Paris Boulevard* serves as a prominent centerpiece of the exhibition. Blanca Pons-Sorolla, the exhibition’s curator and the artist’s great-granddaughter, emphasizes the piece’s distinctive significance. “The sweeping composition of [*Paris Boulevard*]—which possesses a very photographic quality and does not concern itself with figures that are truncated at both ends—truly captures your attention and conveys a freshness that hints at what Sorolla would later pursue with more intensity,” Pons-Sorolla remarks. The painting anticipates the dynamism and creativity that Sorolla would incorporate into his subsequent masterpieces.
### **Placing *Paris Boulevard* in the Context of Sorolla’s Career**
Although Sorolla would later gain fame for his shimmering portrayals of beaches, fishing vessels, and Mediterranean life, *Paris Boulevard* presents a striking contrast to his later body of work. Created during Sorolla’s formative years while he absorbed influences from Parisian Impressionism and the output of contemporaries like Claude Monet, this painting showcases an experimental stage in his career. Its muted color palette and urban backdrop reveal that Sorolla was not solely a master of light but also adept at encapsulating the subtle melancholy and poetic allure of city living.
In this regard, *Paris Boulevard* enriches our appreciation of the artist’s adaptability and strengthens his legacy as a conduit between 19th-century Impressionism and early 20th-century modernism. While his beach narratives, such as *La Playa de Valencia* (1908) and *Strolling Along the Seashore* (1909), evoke serene moments of relaxation, *Paris Boulevard* reflects the richness of the human condition amid urban modernity.
### **A Celebratory Return**
The unveiling of *Paris Boulevard* during *Sorolla, One Hundred Years of Modernity* marks a significant cultural milestone for Spain. This exhibition not only honors Sorolla’s centennial heritage but also encourages audiences to view him through a new lens of artistic potential. The return of this enigmatic artwork is likely to ignite renewed interest in his life and creations, particularly among researchers focused on his transitional phases.
Situated in the heart of Madrid, the Galería de las Colecciones Reales provides an exceptional setting for this long-awaited presentation. Art enthusiasts have until February 2025 to experience this historic occasion and delve into Sorolla’s artistic evolution.
### **The Timeless Legacy of Sorolla**
Sorolla’s artworks continue to enchant audiences worldwide with their enduring vibrancy and unparalleled command of light and color. With