The artwork titled “Flame in space and nude woman” was created by Joan Miró in 1932. This work is an oil painting on canvas and reflects the Surrealist movement, which was prominent at the time of its creation. The piece measures 41 by 32 centimeters and can be characterized as figurative despite its abstract tendencies. It is currently housed at the Joan Miró Foundation in Barcelona, Spain.
The artwork presents a world of abstraction with vibrant, juxtaposed patches of color and non-traditional forms that suggest figuration through a Surrealist lens. The dominant features seem to bear some semblance to a female figure, with certain elements—perhaps a torso and thighs—emphasized through the use of warm yellow and red tones. Other parts of the composition include an enigmatic form resembling a flame positioned in the upper central part of the canvas, set against a background that shifts from a dark, lush green at the top to lighter shades descending towards the bottom.
Miró’s expert manipulation of color and form creates a harmonious balance despite the work’s inherent abstraction. The biomorphic shapes appear playful and are reminiscent of Miró’s style, which frequently combined the whimsical with the profound. Elements within the artwork, such as the eye, may be interpreted as symbolic references or simply as components of the overall abstract tapestry that challenges viewers to engage their imaginations and personal interpretations. This piece, like many of Miró’s works, is an invitation into a surreal dreamscape where the subjective and the figurative merge into one visual experience.