Miro

World of Art

by Roland Penrose

A distinguished art critic and close friend traces Miro's evolution from peasant artist to transcendentalist

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Sir Roland Algernon Penrose CBE (14 October 1900 – 23 April 1984) was an English artist, historian and poet.

He was a major promoter and collector of modern art and an associate of the surrealists in the United Kingdom. During the Second World War he put his artistic skills to practical use as a teacher of camouflage.

Penrose married the poet Valentine Boué and then the photographer Lee Miller. He is the uncle of the physicist and polymath Roger Penrose, and the chess grandmaster, Jonathan Penrose.

Reviews

[Luke Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for my floppy E&A, which I'm pleased I did because I enjoyed it and will remember it as a marker of a particularly unsettled time in my academic attitude. Anyway, lovely book with so much fun and sorrow in it; Miro's story is ever so touching because he was such a kind and loving man (unlike nasty Picasso, still good art though) with so much to offer in a wildly broard, personal, reactionary expression to the world he found himself in. Inspiring of a trip back to the Miro Foundation in Barcelona, also good fun to spot the Miro in the house at Kettle's Yard!

[Shanker Satyanath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Detailed painting by painting analysis along with the philosophical underpinnings. Maybe a bit hyperbolic at times but this can be excused as a part of the author’s enthusiasm for the work.

[sweet orange books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy a monograph directly written by one of the artist's closest friends. This one is well written, well analyzed, and well illustrated. A great read.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise descriptions and discussions on Miro and his work. An easy read that will give you a decent understanding of Miro's motivations and symbology.

[Martine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent photographs of his work and details of his life