| The legendary Spanish artist Joan Miró was born on April 10, 1893 in Montroig, near Barcelona. He died on Dec. 25, 1983 at his country home 'Son Abrines' not far from Palma de Mallorca, in the Baleares Islands.
While Miró began his studies at a business school, he soon turned to art, studying at the Art Academy of Barcelona, at the Gali Academy (1912-15) and finally at the Free Drawing Academy of Sant Lluch, Barcelona.
Miró moved to Paris in 1921. Towards the end of 1923, his work underwent a breakthrough period and his own symbolic-abstract language appeared. Miró is considered to be one of the most important artists of his time. The poetic vision, dramatism and cheerfulness of his works also show an increasingly fascinated with the earliest primitive art of the cave paintings.
His early success came in the 30s, when was honoured with representative exhibits in Europe as well as in the USA. His first large exhibition was held in the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), New York, in 1939. Switzerland also showed an early interest in Miró, with representative exhibits at the Kunsthaus, Zürich, in 1933.
André Breton wrote that Miró was probably the most surrealistc artist of all.
Works by Miró are held in the most important international art collections, The Louvre has two paintings by Miró from Picasso's personal collection. Other famous works by him include:
- a mural for Harvard University (1950)
- Two vast ceramic wall decorations, 'Wall of the Sun' and 'Wall of the Moon' for the UNESCO Building (1958)
The Miró Foundation was established in Barcelona, in 1971 and a museum was later inaugurated in 1976. |
