Portrait of a Young Girl 1915

Joan Miró made this ‘Portrait of a Young Girl’ using oil paint and it’s fascinating how he coaxes such depth from such an economy of means. I like how the forms are simplified, like the planes of the face and hair, and the colours feel considered, not overworked. There's a really interesting surface to the painting. The paint appears quite thin and transparent, but there’s a physicality to the medium, especially in areas like the face and the blue dress, where you can see the brushstrokes and subtle gradations of colour. Looking at the eyes, they really invite us into the image. They feel both childish and ancient, a little haunted. Miró was clearly interested in portraiture and how we can capture a sense of someone, without needing to be strictly representational. You might compare this to Picasso's portraits, another artist who played with perception and representation, but Miró has his own distinctive take on it. This piece remains open, inviting new interpretations and meanings each time you look at it.