About this Event
Join fellow California Art Club members and guests on Sunday, March 22, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., at El Portal Mexican Restaurant for a convivial afternoon of fine dining and art historical insight.
We are honored to welcome renowned art historian and California Art Club Board Member Dr. Micah Christensen, who will present an engaging exploration of the art and legacy of Spanish Impressionist Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida (1863-1923).
Celebrated for his radiant depictions of sunlight, atmosphere, and Mediterranean life, Sorolla remains one of the most influential painters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Dr. Christensen will illuminate Sorolla’s artistic process, compositional philosophy, and enduring commitment to traditional realism—offering insight into the principles that continue to inspire contemporary representational artists.
This intimate luncheon provides a wonderful opportunity for thoughtful conversation, fellowship, and deeper appreciation of one of history’s most luminous masters.
Space is limited—reservations are required. We encourage you to reserve your seat soon.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Raffle Prize
A signed copy of Sorolla: The Masterworks, will be offered as the special raffle prize. Published by Skira Rizzoli, the 224-page book features more than 100 of Joaquín Sorolla's most important paintings.
You must be present to win!
Raffle tickets are $5 each, available for purchase at the event. All proceeds support the California Art Club’s vital educational programs.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, March 22, 2026
Time: 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Ticket Price: CAC Members $55.20(including Eventbrite Fee); Non-members $71.21(Including Eventbrite Fee)
Location: El Portal Restaurant, 695 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101
About the presenter:
Dr. Micah Christensen is a distinguished scholar of European and American fine art. He earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London, where he worked within several royal, private, and public collections. His master’s dissertation focused on the life and work of the Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida.
For his doctoral thesis, Madrid, Rome, Paris: The Education of Nineteenth-Century Artists, Dr. Christensen conducted more than a decade of research in over forty museums and archives across France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States, examining academic training, studio practice, and artistic patronage. He has lectured extensively throughout Europe, including engagements at the British Library and for Cambridge University.
Recognized as an authority on classical artistic training, Dr. Christensen educates contemporary artists on the historical role and function of the arts and frequently consults on rediscovered and lost techniques.
Image above: Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida (1863-1923), Return from Fishing, 1894, Oil on canvas, 104.33" x 127.95" Paris, Musée d’Orsay
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
El Portal Restaurant, 695 East Green Street, Pasadena, United States
USD 55.20 to USD 71.21
