Joan Miró

Introduction
This art was created by the renowned Spanish artist Joan Miró in 1966. The art is called “The skiing
lesson”. It has a series of condensed, narrative configurations. It is set against a semi-transparent, milky-
white surface adorned with white spots. The painting features various symbols and colors. The right half
of the painting contains a large configuration that seems interconnected with other patterns and shapes.
Miró playfully generates shapes and colors, allowing them to drift into the picture space until they find
their place within the overall context.

Formal Elements
1. Background: Miró uses a smoky, grey background across the entire canvas. This atmospheric backdrop
sets a moody tone and suggests an organic environment.

2. Precise Items: On top of the background, Miró adds more precise elements. These include a myriad of
black lines—some curved, some straight. Arrows curve at the ends of these lines, forming abstract
smiles. The lines intersect to create different shapes within the remaining space.

3. Color: Bright tones of reds, blues, and greens fill some of the shapes formed by intersecting lines. The
balance of vibrant colors with the black lines and shapes contributes to the overall impact of the
artwork.

4. Abstract Forms: There is no clear start or end to the painting. Miró allows his mind to wander, creating
different forms as he moves outward from the center. The result is a dynamic and expressive
composition.

Style
This art uses the Abstract Expressionism style. In this captivating artwork, Miró combines a smoky grey
background with precise black lines, intersecting shapes filled with vibrant colors, and a sense of organic
energy. The composition defies traditional boundaries, allowing the artist’s imagination to run wild.
Feeling and Mood
After looking at the painting, I get the sense of playful energy. This is because Miró’s rejection of
traditional boundaries allows the mind to wander freely. There is no clear start and end to the painting,
that invites me to explore and interpret the forms without constraints. From the painting, I learnt how
to create an art with dynamic composition, by intersecting black lines that create visual tension, pulling
the viewer’s gaze across the canvas. I can also make shapes seem to float and interact, forming a
complex visual puzzle.