Back in Rome he studied with José Benlliure, Emilio Sala, and José Villegas Cordero. A long sojourn to Paris in 1885 provided his first exposure to modern painting of special influence were exhibitions of Jules Bastien-Lepage and Adolf von Menzel.

After completing his military service, Sorolla, at age twenty-two, obtained a grant which enabled a four-year term to study painting in Rome, Italy, where he was welcomed by and found stability in the example of Francisco Pradilla, the director of the Spanish Academy in Rome. At the age of eighteen he traveled to Madrid, vigorously studying master paintings in the Museo del Prado. He received his initial art education at the age of 9 in his native town, and then under a succession of teachers including Cayetano Capuz, Salustiano Asenjo. They were thereafter cared for by their maternal aunt and uncle, a locksmith. In August 1865, both children were orphaned when their parents died, possibly from cholera. His sister, Concha, was born a year later. Sorolla was the eldest child born to a tradesman, also named Joaquin Sorolla, and his wife, Concepción Bastida. Joaquín Sorolla was born on Februin Valencia, Spain.

His most typical works are characterized by a dexterous representation of the people and landscape under the bright sunlight of his native land and sunlit water. Sorolla excelled in the painting of portraits, landscapes, and monumental works of social and historical themes. Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida (Spanish: ) (27 February 1863 – 10 August 1923) was a Spanish painter.

JOAQUÍN SOROLLA by Roger Diederen