Appropriately entitled La Calebasse, or The Gourd, the viewer is instantly drawn in by the striking black silhouette of a large gourd in the center of the composition. Cupped between two horizontal lines, the gourd appears animated as its curved limb appears as an exterior body part, waving through the air. The black lines contribute a sense of architectural structure, connecting and juxtaposing at ninety degree angles. In the background, Miro utilizes a myriad of colors in tie die splatters with Miró's playful star and arrow-like forms flitting about. This is a Miró to be viewed in person, as its surface and textural quality cannot be duly translated through digital photography. The size of the piece adds to the overall effect of the work; the image extends beyond the plate mark along the lower left and bottom margin, reaching the extreme sheet edge.

Created in 1969, this etching & aquatint with Carborundum is signed in pencil by Joan Miró (Barcelona, 1893 - Palma, 1983) in the lower right. This piece is published by Maeght éditeur, Paris and printed by Morsang, Paris on Arches wove paper. Numbered from the edition of 75 in pencil in the lower left margin.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
1. Dupin, Jacques. Miró Engraver, vol. II 1961 - 1973, Rizzoli: New York, 1989. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 488.

About the Framing:
Museum grade conservation framed in a complementary moulding with silk mats and optical grade Plexiglas.