Catalan Peasant Head 1925

Joan Miró made this painting using oil on canvas. This was after he had transitioned away from the landscapes and still life of his early period. Note the flat surface of the painting; rather than trying to represent a three-dimensional scene, Miró embraced the two-dimensionality of his canvas. The texture is smooth, with thin layers of paint applied in simple shapes. Miró used his materials to push the boundaries of representation and perception, creating a surreal visual language. The painting is not just a surface for representation; it's an object in itself. By exploring the flatness and texture of his materials, Miró elevated the importance of making. He challenged traditional distinctions between the fine arts and crafts, inviting viewers to consider the broader social and cultural significance of both. Miró draws our attention to the act of painting itself, not just the image it creates.