Literature

Maeght. Joan Miró Lithographs, Vol. II. (Maeght 242)

Cramer, Patrick. Joan Miró: The Illustrated Books. (No. 36, p.112)

Printed by

Mourlot Frères, Paris

Published by

Galerie Maeght, Paris

Edition

Artist's Proof (E.A.)

Aside from the signed and numbered edition of 150 impressions, there were also 25 signed hors commerce impressions and 21 artist's proofs.

The unsigned lithograph was also published as an insert in Derrière le Miroir, No. 93, printed on different paper with narrower margins.

Dimensions

Sheet: 56.2 × 38.5 cm (22 × 15 in.)

Condition

A fine impression with fresh colours. Signed in pencil by the artist. In very good condition.

Catalogue Note

Created in 1956, La Femme au Miroir belongs to the remarkable series of original lithographs produced by Joan Miró for the celebrated Parisian art review Derrière le Miroir, published by Galerie Maeght. Throughout the post-war period these collaborations became one of the defining achievements of twentieth-century printmaking, allowing Miró to explore the full expressive potential of colour lithography in partnership with the master printers Mourlot Frères.

The subject of the woman before a mirror recurs throughout Miró's career, serving not as a literal depiction but as a poetic meditation on identity, imagination and transformation. Here the figure dissolves into a lyrical arrangement of floating forms, calligraphic lines and brilliant colour. Characteristic symbols—stars, biomorphic shapes and fluid gestures—combine in a composition that balances spontaneity with remarkable formal precision.

The present impression is significantly rarer than the standard magazine issue. While Derrière le Miroir contained an unsigned version printed on different paper with narrower margins, this example is one of the artist's signed Artist's Proofs, printed on superior paper with full margins. Such impressions were produced in very limited numbers and are considerably more desirable to collectors than the publication inserts.

Printed by Mourlot Frères and published by Galerie Maeght, La Femme au Miroir represents the close collaboration between Miró and two of the most important print publishers of the twentieth century. Combining poetic imagery, exceptional colour and the rarity of an Artist's Proof, it stands as one of the most desirable impressions from this celebrated publication.