Columbus Departing from Palos, painted for Mr. Ryan of New York and currently belongs to The Mariner's Museum in Newport News, Virginia.
In preparation for his own painting, Sorolla persuaded the duke of Veragua, Columbus's descendant, to model for him. Sorolla made nine large studies in varying composition and lighting.
In Sorolla's masterful, full-length portrait, Columbus's features and physique agree quite well with what contemporaries said about him. More importantly, in Columbus's penetrating glance Sorolla has captured the character of his subject with unsurpassed brilliance.
When one stands before the glowing canvas by Sorolla, one cannot help but feel we have a representation truly in accord with our ideal of the man Columbus.
