Pantagruel

Created in 1978, this image is among the prints that Miró created in collaboration with printmaker Robert Dutrou, using Henri Goetz's innovative carborundum printmaking technique. The image draws inspiration from the 16th century pentalogy by François Rabelais, which humorously chronicles the adventures of the two giants, Gargantua and his son Pantagruel. The broad, black form of the giant dominates the composition and engulfs the viewer. While abstracted in Miró's distinctive style, the giant's colourful eyes emerge distinctly. The print's dynamic composition, combined with the artist's signature use of vibrant reds, blues, and yellows, merges literary reference with artistic style to bring this legendary figure to life.

Etching and aquatint with carborundum and knife scrapes in colours, 1978, on Arches wove paper, with the Maeght watermark, signed in pencil and numbered 5 from the edition of 50, printed by Morsang, Paris, published by Maeght, Paris, with full margins, sheet: 1375 x 965 mm. (54 in x 38 in.)

Dupin 995