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Image by Nikko Hinderstein
Verging on being my favorite place on earth, this museum is a true gem.
You might not know the artist JoaquínSorolla, but you’ve probably seen his paintings in a museum or two. He did his thing back in the late 1800s and developed a gentle realistic touch in his paintings of his family and friends. Sorolla is one of the many who has fallen under the beautiful spell of the Alhambra in Granada. While constructing his house (which is now the museum), he put in various reminders of the Alhambra, down to designing the garden with a mini version of one of the main fountains.
The house itself is set up to display not only his artwork, but also the artwork of his friends and the decor which he either designed or painted. Of note is the dining room decor which features painted angelic versions of his wife and children floating on clouds. His studio is the central focus of the house with a high ceiling and light from almost all sides – it’s easy to see how he was so inspired to paint.
The museum is a little off the beaten track of Madrid’s museums, but it’s walking distance from the Fundación Lázaro Galdiano (see the Fundación Lázaro Galdiano article).
P.S. Entrance is free on Saturday from 14:00 – 20:00 and all day Sunday.
Sorolla Museum | Art & culture | Entry € 3.00
General Martinez Campos 37 | +34913101584
Tue – Sat 09:30 – 20:00, Sun 10:00 – 15:00
I have been there several times and it still amazes me each time I go.
On Sundays (or the whole weekend?) the entry was always free when I went. So I never had to pay for seeing this – although it is well worth the entry fee!
WOW what an amazing museum, after seeing many pictures of his paintings and then seeing them in the flesh as it were, was really moving. The way he painted the light and the movement is really beautiful. You cannot rush this museum there is so much there to see and study, as you can go right up and see his brushwork. I just did not want to leave.
We were there in June 2011 and the gardens were lovely and cool. Do not miss it you will regret it. Enjoyed it more than the Thysson.
So glad I didn’t miss this – big galeries, big cities can be so tiring and like a whole box of chocolates at once,overload! You’ll see it all in 1.1/2 hrs. but cd. spend longer in the beautiful garden.From the first room of paintings, I felt, my kind of painter and made all the more real by seeing his work in his own house. Got a real feel for him and the wife and family he obviously loved. Never saw sunshine painted like this! Only disappointment – no postcard souvenirs of the most popular works for sale on site as at other places.
Go there! You will not be disappointed.
Unlike big museums with work by lots of artists it was really interesting to see just one person’s work developing over time.
I know nothing about art but these pictures are nice to look at and the house is fabulous.
And as for the atmosphere in the garden . . .
It was well worth going on to the Fundación Lázaro Galdiano.
Altogether another great day in Madrid
We were there in 2009. Really beautiful house, and good place to chill out in the garden. Don’t think it’s that much off the beaten track… A nice walk there!
A perfect museum to visit if you are pressed for time. It displays beatiful art in an even more impressive house. It was definitely more enjoyable than the Prado for us as it is a bit cozier and you feel more of a connection to the artist while wandering through his house.