The artwork “Hermitage” by Joan Miró, created in 1924, is an exemplification of the Surrealism movement and the method of Automatic Painting. It is an oil and pencil on canvas that measures 114.3 x 147 cm and is currently housed in the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, PA, USA. The artwork is illustrative of the figurative genre, wherein the employment of symbols and abstract elements is evident.
“Hermitage” by Joan Miró displays a luminous yellow field that serves as the background for a constellation of abstract and semi-figurative elements. A central black shape, which evokes a standing figure with a stark white circle for a head and a linear feature that suggests an arm, dominates the composition. Surrounding this figure are various lines, geometric shapes, and smaller forms that resemble celestial bodies and other objects of indeterminate nature. The use of bright colors such as red for circular forms and deep purple for wavy lines at the bottom adds a contrast to the predominating yellow background.
There is an apparent sense of spontaneity throughout the work, reflective of the Automatic Painting technique, where the artist would allow the subconscious to guide the creation process, resulting in unexpected juxtapositions and a dreamlike atmosphere. Despite the abstract quality, one can discern a narrative or an atmosphere, suggesting a scene that is simultaneously whimsical and mysterious. The symbols, positioned like actors upon the stage of the canvas, speak to an inner world that transcends the ordinary, inviting viewers into a contemplation of the unconscious mind which was a cornerstone of the Surrealist movement.
