Created in 1973, this original etching and carborundum was published by Sala Gaspar, Barcelona on the occasion of the celebration of Joan Miro’s 80th Birthday. This work is one of 275 hors-commerce impressions annotated ‘HC’ in pencil in the lower left margin. Also annotated ‘A JOSEP LLUIS SERT’ and ‘Cordialment’ in pencil in the lower center margin. This piece is hand-signed by Joan Miró (Barcelona, 1893 – Palma, 1983) in pencil in the lower right margin with the publisher’s blindstamp in the lower left corner. This work was printed by J.J. Torralba, Rubí (Barcelona) on watermarked Guarro paper.
Created in honor of Miró’s own life and success, Hommage a Joan Miró is a superb example of Miró’s mastery of his craft. This brilliant work abounds with textural intricacies and strong color contracts. In typical fashion, the viewer cannot pinpoint the identity of the swirling white lines and forms, but must use his or her imagination to conjure an image. This work relays the sense that the viewer is witnessing organisms from another planet under a microscope as they merge and diverge. The use of black and white allows the viewer’s eye to focus on the lines and textures within the work, while the bright bursts of bluish purple and red contribute an additional sense of vibrancy and animation.
