Joan Miró I Ferrà was born into the family of a watchmaker and jewelry master. The ancestors of the artist were artisans, one way or another connected with the fine and decorative arts. The boy started loving painting very early, and his parents sent him to study at the School of Industrial and Fine Arts in Barcelona.
1893 - 1983
Joan Miró i Ferrà
description
A Spanish (Catalan) painter and sculptor, whose work had a huge impact on the entire generation of modern artists. Joan Miro’s paintings are the earliest surrealistic works. They served as the basis for the further formation and development of the style that is extremely popular to this day.
Joan Miro tried his hand in various modernist and avant-garde styles of European painting, but never stopped on one of them completely, constantly improving and enriching his artistic method, experimenting with different painting techniques and methods. The result of these experiments was his painting style based on surrealism. This is what allowed the artist to rethink the basic principles of fine art in accordance with his original vision of the surrounding reality.
The unique world of Joan Miró is full of unique images and symbols. They are presented in the form of pure plastic signs located in an empty space; they are not completely abstract but rather resemble naive art or drawings of children. Miro’s paintings consist of geometric, right or wrong figures, a dance of twisting lines and small details that have mystical meaning and create an indescribable atmosphere of each work.
Key ideas:
– The artist’s style is brief and maximally simplifies the depicted objects. In the works of Miro, objects and shapes are presented in the form of simple geometric structures, lines and spots. They are so stylized that at first glance, it is sometimes difficult to understand what exactly is depicted on the canvas. A clue is often the name of the picture, partially explaining its meaning.
– Miro’s creativity is distinguished by the bright individuality and originality of his artistic vision. His paintings open to the viewer an unreal, fantastic world, inhabited by strange creatures and plants, filled with outlandish objects. The unusual fusion of fiction and reality causes a feeling of understatement and creates a special, unique atmosphere of distortion of reality.
– Complete freedom of expression is the most precise characteristic of Miro’s art. Trying his hand in a wide variety of graphic styles, the artist never adhered to strictly established canons and methods. He expanded the boundaries of the art movement, using those expressive means that seemed to him the most suitable and appropriate. In his paintings, Miro used original colour schemes and unique graphic shapes.
– The author’s works are distinguished by increased expression. Despite relatively simple artistic means, Miro managed to create remarkably expressive and emotionally rich canvases. Vivid colour accents and mysterious forms evoke certain feelings in the viewer, causing genuine interest and arousing imagination.
– In addition to painting, Joan Miro was also engaged in sculpture, ceramics and decorative work. His collages are special. They have the main elements of the author’s style, expressed using a particular combination of materials and textures.
1893
1907
1911
1912
1919
1921
1925
1937
1940
1945
1955
1975
1983
Joan Miró I Ferrà was born into the family of a watchmaker and jewelry master
He entered the School of Commerce
At the insistence of his parents, he entered the School of Commerce, where he studied finance and accounting. After graduation, he worked for some time as an accountant in a pharmacy.
He suffered a serious illness
He suffered a serious illness; after recovering, he decided to devote himself to painting. Miro spent his recovery period on his parents’ farm in Catalonia. Spanish landscapes and customs of the local population served as a source of inspiration for the artist and became one of the main topics of his work.
Entered the art academy in Barcelona
Entered the art academy in Barcelona. At the educational institution, Miro learned about the advanced European art movements and met some poets and artists of Catalonia. In the early works of the painter, there is a strong influence of Fauvism and Cubism, styles that he skillfully combined in his still lifes, portraits and landscapes.
Moved to Paris
Moved to Paris to supplement his art education. In France, the artist met many prominent artists, including Andre Breton, who became his friend and patron.
The individual exhibition of Miro
In the gallery “Licorn” in Paris, an individual exhibition of Miro was held. The artist’s works were not approved by the public but found their fans among famous people, one of whom was Ernest Hemingway.
Joined Surrealists
Joined Surrealists and took part in their first exhibition in Paris. Despite Miro’s close communication with prominent contemporary artists, his style remained deeply individual and extraordinary.
The Civil War forced the artist to return to Paris from Spain
The Civil War forced the artist to return to Paris from Spain, where he lived throughout the 1930s with his family. Miro’s style during this period became sharper and darker, expressed social tension and a premonition of war. In the same year, the artist created the wall painting “Kosar” for the Spanish pavilion of the World Exhibition in Paris and painted the poster “Help Spain!” urging the whole world to fight against fascism.
He started working on his series "Constellations"
He started working on his series “Constellations”, which most fully revealed the individual characteristics of the mature style of Miro. The artist moved to the homeland of his wife Mallorca, and then returned to Barcelona.
An individual exhibition of Miro
An individual exhibition of Miro was held; the “Constellations” were first shown there. The exhibition was a huge success and got rave reviews. After that, the artist became world famous.
Fulfilled the order for painting the walls of the Paris branch of UNESCO
Fulfilled the order for painting the walls of the Paris branch of UNESCO. The artist worked on the panel with his long-time friend Artigas, who helped create ceramic tiles. A work entitled “The Sun and the Moon” brought the Grand Prix of the Guggenheim Foundation to its authors.
Founded the Miro Foundation
Founded the Miro Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting contemporary art and young Spanish artists.
The death of the artist
Joan Miró I Ferrà died on December 25 in 1983 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.