Joan Miró Biography

The legendary Spanish artist Joan Miro was born on April 20, 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 Miro 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.

Miro moved to Paris in 1921. Towards the end of 1923, his work underwent a breakthrough period and his own symbolic-abstract language appeared. Miro 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 Miro, with representative exhibits at the Kunsthaus, Zurich, in 1933.

Andre Breton wrote that Miro was probably the most surrealistc artist of all.

Works by Miro are held in the most important international art collections, The Louvre has two paintings by Miro 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 Miro Foundation was established in Barcelona, in 1971 and a museum was later inaugurated in 1976.

Selected Museums

  • Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
  • Guggenheim Museum, New York
  • Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
  • Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
  • Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
  • Museum of Modern Art, New York
  • National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
  • Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice
  • Art Institute of Chicago
  • Reina Sofia National Museum, Madrid
  • Tate Gallery, London

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