Object Image

Maternité [Maternity]

Miró invented his own pictorial language, which became increasingly abstract over time. Although reduced to basic forms, in this painting we can recognise that the central figure is female. One of her breasts is shown in profile, the other from the front. Two insect-like infants, one male, the other female, are suspended from her breasts. The figures seem to be floating in space. The painting has its origins in a postcard of a Spanish dancer wearing a polka-dot dress. The only remaining trace of this in the painting is the pierced skirt, which refers to the dancer's dress.

Credit: Purchased with help from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund (William Leng Bequest) and members of the p...

1924
Oil on canvas
92.1 x 73.1cm
GMA 3589
Image © Successió Miró. All rights reserved. ADAGP, Paris and DACS London 2022.
Text © National Galleries of Scotland