L'Oiseau de Feu (The Firebird)
Print, specifically an original color lithograph on wove paper. • Joan Miró (Spanish, 1893–1983)
Style & Movement
Surrealism / Mid-Century Modern Abstraction. This piece is representative of Miró’s late-period vocabulary of biomorphic forms and lyrical abstraction.
Medium & Technique
Color lithography featuring flat-inked zones and crayon-texture linework. The technique utilizes multiple lithographic stones or plates to layer primary colors (red, blue, yellow), a large green lunar crescent, and a central black 'pulpy' spray-effect (crachis).
Creation Period
circa 1963
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 32 x 24 cm (sheet size); Portrait format.
Subject Description
The composition features a large green crescent moon dominating the right side, set against a chaotic web of yellow and blue scribbled lines. Various stylized biomorphic figures or 'birds' are scattered throughout, constructed from solid geometric shapes in black, red, and blue. The work explores Miró's typical iconography of celestial bodies and whimsical creatures, conveying a sense of cosmic play.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The paper shows slight toning (yellowing) consistent with age, and there appear to be minor undulations along the left edge, possibly due to past mounting.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 USD (depending on whether it is a signed/numbered edition vs. a non-signed publication version).
Auction Estimate
$1,000 - $2,500 USD
Provenance History
Likely published by Maeght Éditeur, Paris, as part of a series or for the 'Derrière le Miroir' publication. Likely passed through retail art galleries or private collections specialized in mid-century prints.
Art Historical Significance
This work is a classic example of Miró’s transition into more gestural, calligraphic compositions during the 1960s. It reflects his 'Wild' Period influences, where spontaneous mark-making combined with disciplined color fields to create a unique visual language that influenced both the Surrealist movement and the Abstract Expressionists.
Notable Features
The contrast between the rigid, heavy black geometric 'feet' at the bottom and the light, frantic blue and yellow scribbles in the background; the intentional use of the 'crachis' (spattered ink) technique for the black central nebula.
Condition Issues
Visible yellowing/oxidation of the paper substrate; possible 'acid burn' from non-archival matting in the past; faint vertical crease near the left margin; ink saturation is well-preserved but the white of the paper has lost its original brilliance.
Conservation Recommendations
Perform a professional de-acidification wash if necessary; remount using acid-free, buffered archival materials and UV-protective glazing; ensure it is kept away from direct sunlight to prevent fading of the blue and red pigments.