Columbus Leaving Palos (At Night, Right Profile)

Welcome, everyone! Before you stands "Columbus Leaving Palos (At Night, Right Profile)," a captivating oil on canvas painting by the renowned Spanish artist Joaquín Sorolla. Created between 1909 and 1910, this remarkable work measures 62.5 centimeters wide and 115 centimeters high and is part of the prestigious collection of the Hispanic Society of America. nn The painting portrays a figure, likely Christopher Columbus, cloaked in a dark, hooded robe—almost monastic in its simplicity. The artist masterfully uses varying shades of brown to suggest the texture and folds of the heavy fabric. While much of the face is shrouded in shadow and the hood's deep darkness, Sorolla subtly conveys a sense of age and weariness in the visible features. A single hand, extended outwards, hints at a gesture of farewell or perhaps a decisive step into the unknown. nn The background is deliberately indistinct, a blend of muted browns and grays that evokes the mystery of a nighttime scene. While suggestive of a landscape or seascape, the details remain deliberately vague, allowing the viewer to focus on the central figure. The light is strategically focused on Columbus, creating a striking contrast between the illuminated subject and the dark, shadowy surroundings. nn The overall mood is one of quiet contemplation, perhaps even solemnity. Sorolla's impressionistic style, with its visible brushstrokes, adds to the painting's texture and atmosphere, enhancing the feeling of a pivotal moment—a solitary figure on the cusp of a momentous journey. The painting invites us to ponder the weight of Columbus's decision and the uncertainties that lay ahead. I hope you enjoy contemplating this powerful and evocative piece.