Who’re you Joan Miró ?! To grasp an artist, it is advisable know his landscapes, so to seek out out who Miró (1893-1983) was, there’s nothing like going to Catalonia, the painter’s native area, to find the lands he noticed for therefore lengthy.
From Barcelona, his birthplace, to Mont-roig, the land that impressed him a lot, let’s take a journey to find Joan Miró.
Article produced in collaboration with the Catalonia Vacationer Board. Nonetheless, I stay utterly free to specific my very own opinions, and the views expressed on this article are solely my very own.
A toddler of Catalonia
Born on April 20, 1893 in Barcelona, Joan Miró grew up in a household of artisans : his father was a goldsmith and his mom was the daughter of a cabinetmaker. From an early age, Miró confirmed a eager curiosity in drawing, however his father opposed this profession and inspired him to check enterprise in an effort to ” be somebody in life “.
After two years working in a colonial commodities retailer, Miró fell ailing and entered a melancholy. His fragile well being led him to desert the trail of commerce to dedicate himself to his true ardour : artwork.
It was on the Llotja College of Advantageous Arts and the Gali Academy in Barcelona that he solid his first creative weapons. Influenced by Fauvism, Cubism, and shortly by Surrealism, Miró developed a novel visible language, the place primitive types, daring colours and mysterious symbols intertwine.
His work, deeply rooted in Catalan soil, is distinguished by an overflowing creativeness and a pronounced style for experimentation. Painter, sculptor and ceramist, he’s consistently exploring new media and strategies.
In Miró’s footsteps: a journey by way of Catalonia
To higher perceive the world of Joan Miró, there’s nothing like a journey by way of his native Catalonia. A lot of emblematic websites let you immerse your self in his life and work, whereas discovering the cultural and pure riches of the area.
Barcelona: the cradle of artwork
Barcelona is the primary port of name. That is the place Miró was born and skilled. It’s additionally the place you’ll discover the Joan Miró Basis, on Montjuïc hill. Inaugurated 50 years in the past, in 1975, this basis is likely one of the most necessary museums devoted to the artist.
Very hooked up to his native metropolis, Miró donated a number of works to Barcelona. The Fundació Miró is his principal present, since a lot of the assortment was donated by the artist himself.
The constructing, designed by his buddy the architect Josep Lluís Sert, is an architectural masterpiece, bathed in pure gentle. Lots of of Miró’s works are on show right here, in addition to short-term exhibitions of up to date artwork. Miró noticed the muse as a e-book of which he wrote solely the primary web page, leaving younger artists the chance to put in writing the next ones because of the exhibitions usually organized there, devoted to younger creation.
The terrace additionally presents panoramic views of town and options a number of monumental sculptures.
Fundació Joan Miró
Parc de Montjuïc, Barcelona
Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10 am to 7 pm from November to March and 10 am to eight pm from April to October
Sundays 10 am to 10 am
€15, €9 for college kids aged 15 to 30, free for kids beneath 14
https: //www. fmirobcn.org/en/
Different locations in Barcelona had been marked by Miró’s passage. Within the metropolis middle, at passatge del Crèdit, close to the well-known Plaça Reial, you possibly can see the painter’s start home.
Passatge del Crèdit, Barcelona
Not removed from there, on La Rambla, on the Liceu metro station, a mosaic ground was donated to town by Miró.
La Rambla, 71, Ciutat Vella, Barcelona
Then within the former Santa Creu hospital, now dwelling to a library, you possibly can see the venue the place the primary main exhibition dedicated to Miró was held in 1968.
Outdated Santa Creu Hospital
Carrer Hospital, 56, Barcelona
Good addresses in Barcelona
For lodging, I like to recommend the Ibis Types Barcelona Centre lodge, only a 15-minute stroll from the Sagrada Família.
340 Provenca Avenue
A bit extra central, the Exe Plaza Catalunya lodge is situated, as its identify suggests, a stone’s throw from the Plaza de Catalunya and near the historic middle.
Ronda de la Univ., 18
Mont-roig del Camp: The land of origins
Only a hundred kilometers from Barcelona, Mont-roig del Camp, a small farming village, was a spot of retreat and inspiration for Miró. If the artist’s work are in Barcelona, the painter’s landscapes are right here.
On the age of 18, affected by typhus, Miró fell significantly ailing. His household despatched him to Mont-roig to convalesce. The artist fell in love with the area, returning for a number of years till 1976.
It was right here that he painted a few of his most iconic works, similar to The Farm (1921-1922), an image wherein he put every part he beloved : his spouse, animals, bushes and the land of Mont-roig.
Mont-roig is at all times in his pocket!
At any time when he traveled, Miró at all times carried a Mont-roig carob with him, enabling him to hold the energy of his land with him.
This household dwelling, regardless of its significance, fell into oblivion for nearly 40 years and was virtually razed to the bottom to construct a freeway. Saved because of the persistence of Miró’s daughter, who managed to have the freeway diverted 25 meters, le mas Miró has been open since 2018 and permits guests to find the agricultural surroundings that so nourished the artist. The home, restored to its authentic state, is surrounded by olive bushes and fields, and presents an intimate have a look at the painter’s day by day life, of which the spotlight is the studio, a particularly touching place that gives the look that Miró will return at any second to get again to work.
Mont-roig, the pink land
Mont-roig means ” Mont-rouge ” due to the ochre shade of the earth. For those who go to the city, you’ll discover the landscapes that impressed Miró and, in a few of the stones, the pink shade of the area.
That is additionally significantly evident at the Mare de Déu de la Roca hermitage, one other place immortalized by Miró. This spectacular and sumptuous monastery perched on a mountain additionally presents an impressive view of the encircling space.
A visit to Reus
A couple of kilometers from Mont-roig you’ll discover the city of Reus. Often known as the birthplace of Gaudí and for its Modernist structure, Reus additionally has a small reference to Miró.
The artist, who paid nice consideration to his clothes type, purchased his fits right here, at Queralt, whose boutique, though housing a brand new model, remains to be seen.
Observe in Gaudí’s footsteps
Gaudí, the well-known architect of the Sagrada Família, Parc Güell and Casa Batlló, was born in Reus on June 25, 1852. Town pays homage to the native son with the Gaudí Centre.
Interactive map
This map reveals all of the addresses talked about on this article:
Sensible data to organize your journey
The right way to get there? Begin your keep in Barcelona. Town is well accessible by plain or by practice from Paris in lower than 7 hours.
The right way to get round? In Barcelona, a number of bus traces will get you across the metropolis; all you want is a financial institution card to pay on your journey on the bus. To get to Reus or Mas Miró, you’ll have to hire a automotive.
How a lot time do you have to permit? Enable 3 days to do the visits talked about on this article, however you possibly can reap the benefits of it to increase your keep within the area and higher uncover Barcelona, but in addition Reus, Montblanc and Tarragona.
Died in 1983 on the age of 90, Miró left us a legacy of vivid colours, free types and the Catalan landscapes he beloved a lot.
To journey in Miró’s footsteps is to find a land of feelings and an invite to see the world by way of the artist’s eyes. There’s little question that after taking this journey, you’ll by no means have a look at Miró’s works in the identical method once more !
Article produced in collaboration with the Vacationer Workplace of Catalonia.
Do you want Antoine Vitek’s articles? Observe on social!
