Joan Miro (Spanish, 1893-1983) "Sculpteur II"

1974. Color lithograph on wove paper. Signed 'Miro' in pencil (lower right) and numbered '28/100' (lower left). Published by Maeght Editeur, Paris. Printed by Atelier Adrien Maeght, Paris.

Literature: Mourlot 949. Maeght Editeur, "Joan Miro Lithographs, Vol. V (1972-1975)," Paris, 1992, illustrated.

Catalog Note: Created in 1974, Sculptures II belongs to Miro's rare two-plate Sculptures suite, published by Galerie Maeght, Paris, in conjunction with the artist's expanding work in three-dimensional bronze and ceramic sculpture during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The deluxe limited edition of 100 was hand-signed and numbered in pencil by the artist, distinct from the unsigned plate-signed impressions issued for the trade edition.
The composition exemplifies Miro's late graphic vocabulary at its most exuberant: a dominant green biomorphic creature anchors the panoramic field, surrounded by dancing calligraphic forms in red, blue, and yellow, set against atomized sprays of magenta, orange, and ochre. The interplay of bold black contours and stenciled clouds of color reflects techniques Miro perfected during his long collaboration with the Maeght atelier - a fluid synthesis of controlled gesture and chance that became the signature of his late printmaking.