Joan Miró

Collection particulière, France
Collection particulière, Paris (acquis auprès du précédent vers 2000)

Executed on cream wove paper, not laid down. The sheet has been reinforced by restorer paper which has been attached to the overmount at three places along upper edge and to the centre of lower edge. The sheet is slightly undulating. There are flattened creases at the upper left corner. The surface has been rubbed in the circular elements, inherent to the artistic process. There are two tiny spots of foxing at the upper right corner. This work is in good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Indian ink, gouache and pastel on paper. Executed in 1956.

 

"M'alléger
me dépouiller
réduire mon bagage à l'essentiel
Abandonnant ma longue traîne 
de plumes
de plumages
de plumetis et de plumets
devenir oiseau avare
Ivre du seul vol de ses ailes."

Michel Leiris

 

La présente œuvre est le projet original pour l'une des illustrations que conçut Joan Miro pour Bagatelles végétales, ouvrage de Michel Leiris publié en 1956 par Jean Aubier. Né d'une étroite collaboration entre les trois hommes, et considéré comme l'un des plus beaux livres illustrés du XXème siècle, cet ouvrage fait dialoguer les œuvres poétiques de Miro avec les textes fantaisistes de Leiris, qui s'amuse avec les mots en les détournant et en créant un nouveau langage. C'est à propos de Bagatelles végétales que Jacques Dupin écrivit : "L’humour des jeux de mots et des contrepèteries de l’écrivain suscite paradoxalement chez Miró des aquatintes puissantes et austères."

The present work was the original project for one of the illustrations conceived of by Joan Miro for Bagatelles végétales, a book by Michel Leiris published in 1956 by Jean Aubier. Born from a close collaboration between the three men, and considered as one of the finest illustrated book of the 20^th century, this book confronts Miro’s poetic works with the imaginative texts of Leiris, who plays around with words and creates a new language. Jacque Dupin wrote of Bagatelles végétales : “The humour of the wordplay and spoonerisms provokes, paradoxically, powerful and austere aquatints by Miro.”