Accession Number
2015/2.19

Title
Le Prophète

Artist(s)
Joan Miró

Artist Nationality
Spanish (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1958

Medium & Support
color etching and aquataint on Rives vellum

Dimensions
17 in x 13 in (43.18 cm x 33.02 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Seymour and Barbara K. Adelson

Subject matter
This is an example of the artist's post-WWII works, in which Miró experimented with the print media. Though he was based in Barcelona at the time, he frequently traveled back to Paris in order to learn more technical skills at the Mourlot studio (lithographs) and at the Atelier Lacourière (engravings). Miró's connection to the Surrealist movement, combined with his interest in Spanish imagery, can be seen in the abstract and dreamlike imagery of the print. For example, the large, arrow tipped black line that rises from the base of the print is reminiscent of the horns of a bull – one of Spain's national symbols – and the large starburst at the top center is connected to his interest in constellations. 

Physical Description
Creating a border, there is a large blue cylinder and a smaller yellow circle, with red border toward the middle right of the work. The last color object is a small green dot above the red-yellow circle. Throughout the work, there are black dots and markings. Creating a kind of pitchfork, there is a large black line drawing that follows three of the sides of the blue border. At the top, there is a simple starburst design in black (under the blue). In the bottom left, there is a small line drawing, resembling a bird. At the top of the print, there seems to be a residual hand print of the artist in black.

Primary Object Classification
Print

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Abstract (fine arts style)
Spanish (culture or style)
Surrealist
aquatints (prints)
prophets
stars (extraterrestrial bodies)