Hall of the Ambassadors, Alhambra, Granada

The interplay of light on the water and against the sunlit walls of the Alhambra, a pearl of Spanish architecture, aligned perfectly with Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida’s quest to depict the ephemeral qualities of light under diverse conditions. Echoing the Alhambra's architects, who masterfully blended light and shadow, as well as stone and water, Sorolla depicted the complex patterns formed by the interplay of architecture, water, and light. The shadows cast by slender columns on the walls dance in the reflections on the water, whose fluid appearance is striking, especially considering the thick, expressive strokes of paint used by Sorolla.

Constructed between 1238 and 1358, the 35-acre Alhambra was the last Muslim bastion in Western Europe during the late Middle Ages. Here, Moorish architectural design achieved its zenith, presenting an ethereal vision of grace that belies its robust stone and stucco structure.

I love the impressionistic vibe this painting has!

P.S. Are you planning a museum trip anytime soon? If so, be sure to check out our free online course on How To Look At Art beforehand (it's available on our courses platform). I'm confident that it will help you appreciate art even more.  :)

P.P.S. Sorolla was a master of depicting the atmosphere of the Mediterranean coast. Explore the luminous art of Joaquín Sorolla.