Sorolla's vibrant and atmospheric painting of fishing boats returning with their catch to Malvarrosa beach in Valencia was painted during the summer of 1909. It followed his triumphant solo exhibition in New York. This was his first exhibition in the USA and the inaugural exhibition at Archer Huntington's recently completed Hispanic Society of America. Critical and popular acclaim in America brought him both fame, fortune and the commission to paint President Taft at the White House. ...the majesty of the Valencian fishing vessels under full sail, the spontaneity of the children who gambol in the sea, and the brilliance of the light reflected off the rippling water clearly suggests Sorolla's confidence and optimism in Valencia's future. The Arcadian image that he evokes was... (http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2009/19th-century-european-paintings-including-spanish-painting-the-orientalist-sale-and-german-austrian-scandinavian-and-symbolist-works-l09663/lot.76.html)