Constellations (Miró)

Constellations is a series of 23 paintings created by Joan Miró between January 1940 and September 1941. The paintings represent a pivotal moment in Miró's career, bridging his earlier, more surrealist style with the later, more abstract and symbolic language for which he became renowned.

The Constellations series was begun in Varengeville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, during a period of increasing political turmoil and the looming threat of World War II. Miró and his family fled France for Spain in 1940, and he continued the series in Palma de Mallorca. The final paintings were completed in Mont-roig del Camp in Catalonia.

Characterized by their intimate scale (each painting measures approximately 38 x 46 cm), the Constellations feature a network of black lines interconnecting biomorphic shapes, celestial bodies (stars, moons), and figurative elements. These elements are rendered in a limited palette of vibrant colors, often applied in delicate washes. The overall effect is dreamlike and evocative, suggesting both cosmic vastness and personal introspection.

Many art historians interpret the Constellations as a reflection of the artist's anxieties about the war and his hope for a more peaceful future. The recurring motifs of stars and constellations can be seen as symbols of guidance and hope amidst darkness. The series is considered a testament to Miró's resilience and his ability to find beauty and meaning in the face of adversity.

The complete series was first exhibited in 1945 at the Pierre Matisse Gallery in New York City, where it was met with critical acclaim and solidified Miró's international reputation. Individual paintings from the Constellations series are now held in major museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Fundació Joan Miró in Barcelona.