Miquel Barceló

MIQUEL BARCELÓ ARTIGUES (Felanitx, Mallorca, 1957).
“Le guide du Sahara,” 1988.
Gouache on paper.
Work reproduced in *Barceló in Mali* (1989), published by Bischofberger.
Bears labels on the reverse from the Guillermo de Osma Gallery (Madrid).
Signed and dated in the lower right corner.
Measurements: 50 x 65 cm; 66 x 82 cm (frame).
In the style of a contemporary still life, this work depicts a map of the Sahara accompanied by three small skulls. Executed with quick, fluid, and seemingly spontaneous brushstrokes, the composition reveals Miquel Barceló’s interest in formal synthesis and the expressiveness of the painterly medium. The objects depicted—simple and everyday—take on a symbolic dimension that alludes to recurring themes in his work, such as travel, the passage of time, memory, and the fragility of existence.
The work marks a particularly significant moment in the artist’s career. In 1988, Barceló undertook several trips to the African continent and established a studio in Mali, an experience that profoundly transformed his artistic language. His exposure to Saharan landscapes, the intensity of the light, and the austerity of the environment led to a gradual refinement of his painting, steering it toward more essential forms and an increasingly limited palette. This process would lead to what is known as the “white paintings” period, characterized by the predominance of light tones, vast empty spaces, and a growing tendency toward abstraction.
In this piece, clearly recognizable figurative elements can still be seen, but some of the transformations that would mark his subsequent evolution are already evident. The presence of white areas, the economy of resources, and the importance given to the material make the work an interesting testament to the transition between stages. Its inclusion in the catalog *Barceló in Mali*, published by the Bischofberger Gallery, further confirms its significance within this key moment in the artist’s career.
Miquel Barceló (Felanitx, Mallorca, 1957) is one of Spain’s most internationally renowned artists. Initially trained in Palma de Mallorca and later in Barcelona, he began his career at a very young age, marked by experimentation and an interest in avant-garde artistic languages. He gained international recognition in the early 1980s thanks to his participation in major events such as the São Paulo Biennial and Documenta in Kassel. Since then, his work has been the subject of numerous exhibitions worldwide and is part of prominent public and private collections.
Throughout his career, he has developed a body of work deeply connected to nature, materials, and the experience of travel, alternating between painting, sculpture, ceramics, and graphic art. The recipient of major awards, including the National Prize for Plastic Arts and the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts, Barceló is considered one of the leading figures in Spanish contemporary art. His works are held in internationally renowned institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Centre Pompidou, and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.