Joan Miro, "The Farm"


     A very special thank you to the National Gallery of Art for allowing us to use this painting this week.  The artist is Joan Miro (1893-1983), a Spanish artist usually considered a surrealist.   This past week I did google some information about the painting and read several "expert" opinions on its merit.  Their highly educated views gave me reason to pause, as mine will be a little more "humble".

     I have never been to Spain, but I have been to many farms. Because of the nature of the business, they all have many things in common, and we see them all portrayed here. Without background history, viewing the painting on its own merits, it is amazing to see all Miro has included.  Everything is here!  As our eyes scan across the canvas all kinds of life and objects are discovered; even a snail!  Miro must have loved this place.  

     The landscape is divided in half horizontally, with the bottom being land, the top, the sky, with a large tree intersecting right in the  middle.  At the base of the tree is a dark circle, interestingly not dipped to create depth, but flat, starring at us.  I love the path and the barking dog, near it.  There is all kinds of life, but I see only one human, and that being the figure also in the middle, at the water source. The structures indicate a business successful at supporting the occupants as if it has been here for many years, each year adding improvements coming from hard, physical work.  

    Just like we guessed, "The Farm" was a favorite of Miro.  It is a large work and he took nine months painting it, mostly on site, as it is a family farm and home.  Once completed, the size of it, discouraged sales, so he kept it in studio, until the writer, Ernest Hemingway saw it, and immediately purchased, taking it to his home in Cuba.  It remained in his possession till after his death, when family donated it to the National Gallery.      

     Miro is an interesting artist, and worth discovering if you do not know about him. This painting is quite realistic, beautifully depicting all of the life and things making up this special location in Spain.  Miro goes on in life developing his thoughts and dreams into creative works exploring cubism, Dadaism, and surrealism.  He lived his entire life in France or Spain, experiencing all the war and political turmoil of the time, and becoming an admired figure influencing many other creative people.     The Farm was painted from 1921 into 1922.  It is a large work measuring 48 3/4 by 55 5/8 inches.   It is an oil on canvas and is part of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. 

    Make Art a part of  your life, it's a beautiful thing to do.   

Comments

  1. Char HarguthJune 3, 2021 at 4:25 PM

    I can't imagine working on a painting that long, but all the details are amazing. I was particularly struck by the covered wagon cart, what appears to be silo's in the distance, and the horse in the building that I first thought to be a house. The fenced chicken yard is so full; I don't think he omitted anything! I looked hard for the snail! The solid blue sky, with just the moon and treetops balances the busy bottom half. It is interesting that the only figure is a women - (with all that chores!) Yes, he must have loved this place; I was only familiar with his more cubist designs. Wonderful work.

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