THE new season of lectures for the Arts Society Wensleydale starts with a talk about Spanish impressionist artist.

During his lifetime Joaquin Sorolla (1863-1923) was a popular, internationally-acclaimed artist but outside Spain and the US he is largely a forgotten figure today.

Gail Turner, an expert in Iberian art who holds the equivalent of a CBE for promoting Spanish culture, will explore his work.

Painter of Sunlight: Joaquin Sorolla, is on Tuesday, October 9, at 2pm in the Middleham Key Centre.

Sorolla’s eclectic approach encompasses impressionistic figures and high-key colours in an expressive style. His lucrative society portraits employ a more sombre palette, but with the same bravura brushwork, reminiscent of John Singer Sergeant.

Sorolla’s best landscapes are suffused with Valencian sunlight, about which he declared: “Every effect is so transient, it must be rapidly painted”.

Given the enduring popularity of Impressionism, the lecture offers a rare opportunity to learn more about this artist.

New members are welcome. Visitors pay £8 a lecture, refunded if they join. Contact Ros Higson on 01765 635244 or wensleydale@theartssociety.org for more details.