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“Then I paid a short visit to Velázquez who, while affectionate and communicative, puts you in a serious and bad mood, a real Titan, he’s the greatest thing in the world.”

On his visits to the Prado Museum, Sorolla studied the great Spanish painters, and was fascinated by El Greco, Ribera, Goya and, in particular, Velázquez. At the age of 19, he made several copies of the great master, but his influence also became apparent in his later years, especially in his portraits.

Of all Velázquez’s works, the masterpiece for Sorolla was Las Meninas (The Ladies-in-waiting). Its composition, the position of some of the figures, the unusual details such as the inclusion of the painter’s easel or the play on glances between the artist, the sitters and the observers can also be found in his canvases Mis hijos (My Children), Autorretrato (Self-Portrait) and La familia (The Family).

Another example is the painting María Figueroa vestida de menina (1901) (María Figueroa Dressed as a Lady-in-waiting), wholly reminiscent of Velázquez not only because of its title but also its technique, composition, use of colour and light, and the fineness conveyed by the girl’s.