Description:Composed of a bold and vivid palette with active and gestural imagery, Miró intrigues the viewer with his interconnection of abstraction and figurative elements. Painterly in quality, this monumental piece captures the eye and evokes a sense of the lyrical and playful quality of the artist’s work.
Created in 1969, this color aquatint, etching and carborundum on Arches wove paper was published by Maeght Éditeur and printed by Morsang Imprimeur, Paris. Signed by Miró in pencil in the lower right, this work is numbered 63/75 in the lower left. In excellent condition, this work is a fine dark impression with bright fresh colors.
This work comes what we feel is Miró’s most important phase of printmaking, and belongs to the series of monumental carborundum prints that include works like Equinox etc…
A large figure-eight form encompasses the majority of the picture plane in a layering of dark black tones and splatters, which create a sense of motion, activity and depth to this piece. Utilizing accents of primary hues of red, green, yellow and blue, a large hook emerges from the upper left. With an abstract hint of a fish in the background, the hook curves toward the top of the sheet in a gesture suggesting the artist might be ‘hooking’ his viewers in to the image. The balance of vertical and horizontal creates a visual push and pull, giving a sense of activity in this work. From the period in Miró’s career which focused primarily on printmaking, this piece illustrates the artist’s technical skill and mastery in combining multiple printmaking techniques into one image.
Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
It is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the final sale of the work).
1. Dupin, Jacques. Miró Engraver, Vol II 1961-1973, 1989. Listed as cat. no. 515 on pg. 163.
2. Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. Miró: l’Oeuvre Graphique. Listed as cat. no. 161 on pg. 46.
About the Framing:
This work is set on archival linen in a monumental Spanish style frame. The black and gold of the moulding compliments the strong contrasting tones in this work. The simple lines of the moulding accentuate the bold linear elements of this work while not detracting from the quality of the image. Completed with white, linen-wrapped mats and a matching gold inner fillet, this work is set behind an archival Plexiglas cover to ensure lasting quality and protection.
