Columbus Leaving Palos (Profile Right, Facing the Stern)

Columbus Leaving Palos (Profile Right, Facing the Stern), painted in 1909 and held at the Hispanic Society of America, completes Sorolla's systematic investigation of Columbus's 1492 departure from multiple viewpoints by reversing the figure's orientation — now facing right, toward the stern and the receding harbour, a compositional choice that introduces the note of farewell rather than anticipation. Facing the stern means looking back at what is being left behind: Spain, the familiar world, the harbour of Palos. This reversal of direction from the left-facing profile gives the series an emotional counterpoint, the explorer's dual identity as both leaver and adventurer captured in the two opposing profiles.

The right-facing profile creates a different compositional dynamic from its left-facing counterpart: where the left profile projected forward, this one is pulled back toward the painting's edge, creating a slight tension between the figure's orientation and the implied direction of travel. Mediterranean harbour light creates the same impasto highlights on rigging and canvas. The figure's silhouette against sea and sky is precisely constructed.