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Sorolla’s open-mindedness and liberal ideas are reflected in how he brought up his daughters. María and Elena studied at the Institución Libre de Enseñanza (Free Education Institution), a private school that did not follow official doctrines based on religious and political guidelines. Sorolla advocated equality and humanistic education, based on co-education (mixed-gender education), plein-air painting, language learning, etc. In short, learning to think and reflect.

In the artistic realm, Sorolla always taught and encouraged his daughters, who accompanied him on his visits to his pupils’ studios and on some trips abroad. María worked as a painter and Elena as a sculptor, presenting their works in various exhibitions, but when they got married, they gave up their artistic careers.