The 2012 Joan Miro show at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC offers a fresh look at this important Spanish artist of the twentieth century. Entitled “The Ladder of Escape,” it provides new insights into the political views of the famed artist and sculptor.
When you think of Miro you probably think of bright colors and whimsical objects. There are some examples of that in this exhibit but there are also darker works that will probably be new to most audiences. After all, Miro lived through very turbulent times including both World War I and World War II, the Spanish Civil War and the long regime of the dictator Francisco Franco. Also important to his identity was his birth in Catalonia, a region in northern Spain that has its own distinct culture and long struggle for autonomy.
The show begins with Miro’s depictions of the family farm and surroundings in Catalonia. Continue reading A Fresh Look at the Spanish Artist Joan Miro