When I was in college at Oberlin, I had a summer job in the art museum doing simple restoration work on prints and other artworks that were available for students to rent for $1/semester to hang in their dorm rooms. For $2/hour, I rematted, reframed, and cleaned prints by Braque, Picasso, and an artist unfamiliar to me at the time named Joan Mirò. I quickly became a fan of her work. I say “her” because at the time I was anglicizing the pronunciation of Mirò’s first name. I learned, and Mirò remains one of my favorite artists.

The Joan Mirò Foundation established a museum dedicated to Mirò‘s life and work at the top of a commanding hill named Montjuïc. (Montjuïc was also the site of some of the Summer Olympic events held in Barcelona in 1992.) It’s a gem. As is the case with most of the renowned artists who lived or worked in Barcelona, most of Mirò‘s most famous works are housed elsewhere. But the collection here is well worth taking time to learn more about Mirò and the symbols and themes that run through all of his works. (Once you get women, birds, and stars, you’re golden.)

Mirò’s main influences as an artist were…no one, really. He actively eschewed schools, styles, and influences and instead looked to nature and primitive art (including children’s art) as his inspirations. He worked in paint, pencil, fabric, bronze, and whatever else allowed him to achieve his vision.

So here are some photos, with more in the Dump.