Joaquim Mir

JOAQUIM MIR TRINXET (Barcelona, 1873 - 1940).
"Landscape with farmhouses".
Oil on canvas.
Signed in the lower right corner.
Measurements: 35 x 44 cm; 63,5 x 71,5 cm (frame).

The present landscape constitutes a representative example of the pictorial conception developed by Joaquim Mir, one of the most singular artists of the Spanish landscape painting of the beginning of the 20th century. In this work the most characteristic element of his language is fully manifested: the absolute primacy of color as a vehicle of emotion and as the main articulator of form. The composition is constructed by means of a loose and material brushstroke, applied with great freedom, which decomposes the landscape in wide chromatic spots. The intense Mediterranean light invades the scene and transforms the natural vision into a vibrant pictorial experience, where the harmony of greens, blues and ochers generates an enveloping atmosphere of great sensory strength. The winding path in the foreground leads the eye to the architectural ensemble in the background, whose reddish roofs and light volumes are integrated into the environment through a rich chromatic modulation. The small human figures, barely sketched, introduce a discreet narrative element and reinforce the sense of spaciousness of the landscape.

A prominent member of the so-called Colla del Safrà in his beginnings and later linked to modernist environments, Mir developed a highly personal language characterized by the exaltation of color and an almost mystical sensitivity towards the landscape. His work was recognized with numerous awards, including the First Medal at the International Exhibition of Fine Arts in Barcelona (1907), the National Prize of Fine Arts (1917) and the Medal of Honor at the National Exhibition in Madrid (1930). Although he focused his production in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, his work transcended borders, being exhibited in cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, Washington, New York and Buenos Aires. Today, his legacy can be found in some of the most prestigious collections in Spain and the world, with works in the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofia Museum, among others.