La Fronde 1969

Joan Miró made this, La Fronde, with printmaking techniques. I can see the artist’s hand in the making of this image, which seems to have been built up in layers, first with translucent washes of blue and umber, and then with bold, black, graphic lines. I wonder if Miró ever felt like he was wrestling with these forms? That big black, snaking line at the top looks like it has a mind of its own! The surface is alive with texture, and those areas of thin color create an atmospheric space around the more defined shapes. That simple face with the big eyes and smile makes me think about the art of children—their uninhibited and joyful mark-making. I see connections with other artists who explore similar biomorphic forms and playful compositions. Ultimately, the act of painting is an act of exchange. It’s never a one-way street; instead, we stand on the shoulders of giants, always referring back to the artists who came before. It’s an ongoing conversation!