Description
Commissioned during the height of the Spanish Civil War, this series represents Joan Miró’s profound commitment to his homeland’s struggle for democracy. Originally conceived as a small postage stamp, the artist expanded these designs into large-format posters to serve as a powerful visual cry for “Libertad y Justicia” (Liberty and Justice).
Each poster utilizes Miró’s iconic surrealist vocabulary—abstracted figures, celestial symbols like stars and moons, and a bold palette of red, blue, and yellow to represent the Catalan identity and the Spanish spirit. The figures are often shown with raised arms or defiant gestures, symbolizing a primal and collective resistance against oppression.
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Variation 1 (Aidez l’Espagne): Features a complex web of lines and a stylized eye, representing a watchful global community.
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Variation 2 (Solidaridad con España – Figure): Showcases a biomorphic character reaching toward a red star, symbolizing hope and revolutionary progress.
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Variation 3 (Solidaridad con España – Moon Figure): Depicts a moon-headed figure grasping a sickle-like shape, blending agricultural symbolism with surrealist form.
These works remain some of the most important examples of activist art, bridging the gap between avant-garde modernism and urgent political messaging.
Key Details:
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Artist: Joan Miró
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Origin: Paris, 1937 (Spanish Pavilion at the World’s Fair)
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Movement: Surrealism / Political Resistance
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Impact: A cornerstone of the Art of International Solidarity
