... Children appear often in his work. When they’re swimming, they’re usually naked. Apparently this was pretty common for little European kids around the turn of the century-- and the theme of nude children in art was weirdly popular. Artists like Mariano Fortunay, Ignacio Pinazo, and John Singer Sargent were all known to celebrate the naked whimsies of youth in their work. These are all artists who Sorolla admired, and the subject matter spilled over. Sorolla was orphaned at the age of 2. To psychoanalyze, that could be the root of his penchant for painting children and their caregivers. He had three kiddos of his own, who often appeared in his work. His portrayal of children wasn’t just personally nostalgic, though. These sun-soaked cherubs held a social significance for the future of Spain. The Spanish-American War had happened in 1898, and Spain had lost a lot (namely Cuba, Guam, Puerto... Anna McNeary [https://www.sartle.com/artwork/the-bath-javea-joaquin-sorolla-y-bastida]