Maquette for poster for Recent Works (Oeuvres récentes), Galerie Maeght, Paris, 1953
Joan Miró
Spanish, 1893–1983
1953
A painted maquette for a 1953 Galerie Maeght poster in gouache, oil, and ink on paper, made to present a bold, playful design announcing Miró’s recent works.
You first notice a large red orb set against a vivid cobalt field, then horizontal bands of scrawled handwriting, white biomorphic doodles on a black stripe, the artist’s name painted in heavy black letters, and a small block of bright color, all surrounded by a muted gray wash.
The piece shows how Miró adapted his surreal, pictographic language to graphic design, helping to redefine mid‑century exhibition posters and blur the line between fine art and popular visual communication.
Medium
Gouache, oil, and ink on paper
Dimensions
25 3/4 x 19 3/4" (65.3 x 50.0 cm)
Classification
Department
Credit
Gift in memory of Patricia Kane Matisse
Accession
744.1978
Palette
Art Terms
Exhibitions
