Untitled [plate XV] 1958

This print by Joan Miró looks like it was made with wood or linoleum blocks, and maybe even some hand-painting. It reminds us that art is a process, not just a picture. Look at the black mark at the top; it’s like a brushstroke, but then there's this texture, the grain of the wood coming through. It gives it a real earthy feeling, like a kid’s toy. The red dot is similar. You can see the weave of the fabric that was used to dab the paint onto the paper. It's all about the materiality of the printmaking, isn't it? The colours are bright and bold, but also a bit crude, which gives it a kind of raw energy. Miró always kept things open, floating, unresolved. It reminds me of Matisse, but a Matisse who's been hanging out with Paul Klee. They all knew that art isn't about answers but about embracing the unknown.