Rocks at the Lighthouse, Biarritz 1906

Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida made this painting of Rocks at the Lighthouse in Biarritz with oil on canvas. Look at how the figures along the shore seem to shimmer in the bright sunlight, achieved through these gorgeous, loose brushstrokes in a buttery, warm palette. I can imagine Sorolla standing right here on the beach, squinting, feeling the sun on his face, his hand moving quickly to capture the fleeting light and the rhythmic motion of the waves. Look how he’s captured the light glinting off the water, those quick dabs of white and pale blue creating a sense of movement and energy. The gestures really convey the artist's intention, don't they? To capture a moment of everyday life. It reminds me of other painters, like Sargent, who were also interested in capturing the effects of light and atmosphere. These artists are all in conversation with each other, aren't they? This painting isn't just a pretty picture, but a record of embodied expression, always open to new interpretations.