Despite being one of the most famous Spanish artists, Joan Miro does not have the same profile in Barcelona as figures such as Picasso or Salvador Dali. Instead Miro let his art do the talking. Today visitors can sample this for themselves at the Joan Miro Foundation in Barcelona, which holds the biggest collection of his work in the world.
Thinking of going on a camping holiday near Barcelona in 2013? Miro’s foundation is one more place to visit to add to your itinenary.
Miro was born in Montroig del Camp, a town south of the city, in 1893 and lived in the Catalan capital for many years; Miro also spent long periods of time in Paris, Palma de Majorca and Normandy. He was not part of the circle who frequented Barcelona’s Els Quatre Gats (the four cats), the café where Picasso made his home from time to time. Nor was he part of the happenings at the Hotel Ritz (now renamed Hotel Palace) with Dali. The Surrealist master once led a horse up to his room and ordered a group of contortionists to perform.
The foundation, opened in 1975, commands a panoramic view over the city from Montjuic, the mountain that looms large over Barcelona and was the setting for the 1992 Summer Olympics. It has 217 paintings, 178 sculptures and over 8,000 drawings. But true to Miro’s original ideal, it also exhibits other modern artists. Visit http://www.fundaciomiro-bcn.org
See Miro’s Work for Free
Outside the Foundation, there are other Miro works in Barcelona. The Parc Joan Miro, near Plaza Espanya was constructed to honour the artist. Previously it has enjoyed a less savoury purpose, it was an abattoir for bulls killed in the nearby Las Arenas bullring. The bullring was converted into a leisure centre recently by British architects. Within the park is Miro’s 22-metre statue ‘Woman and Bird’. The surface is a bright mosaic typical of the artist.
Miro also designed a large mosaic along La Rambla, one of the best known boulevards in the World. Look carefully and you will see where the artist signed his name. Visitors to Barcelona who want to sample the place Miro frequented, should head for his favourite restaurant, Siete Puertas, near the Barceloneta district. Known for its Paella and fish dishes, it has been a draw for the famous and infamous for decades. As well as Miro himself, Che Guevara and Himmler have enjoyed excellent food here.
Should you want to pay your respects to the master, head to the nearest cemetery in Montjuic, where he was buried in a modest tomb. Miro died in Majorca in 1983 after suffering from heart problems, but his remains were returned to Barcelona.
Montroig del Camp
To see what inspired the artist’s early career, it is worth taking a trip to Montroig del Camp, near Reus in Catalonia, about two hours drive south of Barcelona. The Miro family owned a farmhouse there and many of his first paintings of Catalan rural life were inspired by summer visits to the town. There is a museum built around the church, which figured in several of Miro’s paintings.
Not sure where to stay? Try EuroParcs’ campsites near Barcelona, they have sites in Vilanova and Salou.
