Havana, September 22 (RHC)-- The National Museum of Fine Arts inaugurated today the exhibition "Joaquín Sorolla Bastida (1863-1923): The works of the Museum of Havana on the centenary of his death," an event commemorated in different parts of the world.

Cuba thus joins these commemorations dedicated to the renowned Valencian painter in this gallery that owns one of his most important collections at the international level, the organizers of the exhibition acknowledged.

The National Museum of Fine Arts -MNBA-, is the main promoter of the actions related to the date, which has a particular relevance in that venue, along with the 110th anniversary of the founding of the institution.

Curated by Manuel Crespo Larrazábal, a connoisseur of Sorolla's work, the exhibition features some thirty of his paintings and a bust by Spanish sculptor Antonio Rodríguez del Villar.

Last July, as part of the Summer Workshops held at the renowned gallery, a hundred children and teenagers had a closer look at Sorolla's life and work.

For historical and cultural reasons, Spanish painting occupies a relevant place in the MNBA's collection, including that of the Valencian genius, whose first painting, "Boy Eating Watermelon", was acquired by the then director of the Havana institution, Antonio Rodriguez Morey, in 1920.

During the painter's lifetime, one exhibition of his work was held in Havana, and after his death, three more exhibitions were held until 1970.

For the first time, in 1971, the MNBA organized an exhibition entirely dedicated to Sorolla, followed by two more in the 1980s; since 1987, the institution has had a permanent exhibition in the Sorolla Room.

The exhibition "Joaquín Sorolla Bastida (1863-1923): Works from the Havana Museum on the 100th anniversary of his death" will be open to the public until early 2024.

Qualified as a master of light and life for his messages of hope, Sorolla's work will travel throughout 2023 and 2024 to relevant museum institutions in Spain, the Ministry of Culture of the European nation declared in June.

Sorolla (Valencia, Feb. 27, 1863-Cercedilla, Aug. 10, 1923) is also considered a leading figure of Impressionism in Spain, in addition to his post-impressionist tendency.

His attachment to light, sun and life made him choose on numerous occasions gardens and exteriors to, after being inspired, give to the history of art great works, in a remarkable number of 2,200 paintings as a legacy.

The current project called "Sorolla. Traveling to paint" allows to pay tribute to him as the great Spanish "plenairista" artist of his time and tireless traveler (Source: Prensa Latina).