Sorolla painting left on Seville street found by Murcian tourist and returned
A Joaquín Sorolla painting forgotten by a Seville family was taken by a Murcian tourist who liked its frame. AI and an auction house identified the artist, leading to its return.
The incident
On Saturday, 27 June 2026, a family in Seville was leaving for a beach holiday. They placed a small painting with a wide, gilded frame against the wall of a building on Rafael González Abreu street while loading their car. In the rush, they drove off without it. The painting was an original Joaquín Sorolla, though the family later said it had "great sentimental value" and had been with them for many years. Posters they put up in Spanish and English offered a reward for its return, but they did not initially disclose the artist.
The discovery
Andrés Hurtado, a 57‑year‑old unemployed man from Puebla de Soto (Murcia), was in Seville on vacation. Walking back to his hotel around 4:30 p.m., he saw the painting on the pavement.
He carried it to his hotel in a bag from a Chinese bazaar. The next morning, he examined it more closely and saw the Sorolla signature. He used a smartphone AI app, which suggested it might be an original and gave "exorbitant prices," he told El Mundo. He then contacted Madrid auction house Alcalá Subastas. They confirmed it was an authentic Sorolla, a seascape titled "Puerto de Ayamonte," painted in 1919 and dedicated "A mi amigo Fer."I took it because I liked the frame.
Identification and return
On Monday, Hurtado saw news reports about a "stolen" Sorolla in Seville. He realised it was the same painting he had.
The owners, reached by phone, said they forgot it when they were stressed by traffic. A police unit travelled from Seville to Murcia to retrieve the work on Wednesday, 1 July. The owner promised Hurtado a "gift," and legal commentators noted that under Spanish civil law, a finder who returns lost property is entitled to a reward or percentage of its value.I called the Police and said, 'Don't worry, the painting wasn't stolen, I had it.'
What is the painting worth?
Various sources gave different estimates. Telecinco's 'Vamos a ver' and 20 minutos reported a value of €60,000. El Mundo cited the auction house's figure of €150,000. La Razón reported a possible auction range between €40,000 and €150,000. The differences may reflect varying auction scenarios and the piece's condition.
- Family forgets painting on Seville street while loading car.
- Andrés Hurtado finds painting and takes it for its frame.
- Hurtado examines painting, notices Sorolla signature.
- Hurtado uses AI and contacts auction house; learns it is authentic and worth up to €150,000.
- Hurtado sees news about lost painting.
- Hurtado calls police to arrange return.
- Police collect painting in Murcia for return.
- Telecinco/20 minutos
- 60000 €
- El Mundo
- 150000 €
