Self-Portrait 1917

Joan Miró made this oil on canvas self-portrait in 1917, and it’s a fascinating example of how process becomes the point. What strikes me first is the sheer physicality of the paint. Look closely, and you’ll see how Miró built up layers, almost like sculpting with color. The brushstrokes are visible, energetic, especially in the background where the green paint feels alive, like it's breathing. There's this gorgeous patchwork of purples and yellows that he uses to map his face – it’s less about representation and more about feeling. It’s like he’s asking, “How can I translate the experience of ‘me’ onto this flat surface?” And that bowtie! It's so carefully rendered, like a little jewel amidst all the expressive chaos. It makes me think of Matisse and his bold color experiments. Both artists seem to embrace the idea that art is an ongoing conversation, a back-and-forth between intention and accident, control and release.