Amazing Miró, Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona is a city of great artists: Gaudí, certainly, Picasso, without a doubt, and let us not neglect Joan Miró -- Barcelona hasn't. In 1975 the Fundació Joan Miró was established on the hilltop perch of Montjuïc overlooking the city. Miró's output was prodigious, and the Foundation’s collection reflects that, consisting of 11,000 pieces: paintings, sculptures, textiles, ceramics, graphic works, and drawings.

I wandered freely through the building from basement to rooftop, with Miró's grandson whispering in my ear the whole way, courtesy of the museum's excellent audio guide.

I considered my afternoon very well spent, exploring the creative process as Miró's expression evolved throughout his lifetime. Through works as diverse as the surreal collage Hats (1933), to the colorful Caress of a Bird (1967), to the monumental Foundation Tapestry (1979), I gained a deep understanding of this enigmatic and often playful genius.

Fundació Joan Miró
Parc de Montjuïc
adults: € 7.20
Tuesdays to Saturdays
10.00 - 19.00 (October-June)
10.00 - 20.00 (July-September)
Thursdays 10.00 - 21.30
Sundays and public holidays 10.00 - 14.30
Mondays (except public holidays) Closed