The artwork, “Portrait of Hiberto Casany. (The Chauffeur)” by Joan Miró, was created in the year 1918. This oil on canvas portrait is a striking example of the Fauvism movement, measuring 70 by 62 centimeters. Being a portrait, it presents a depiction of the subject, Hiberto Casany, notably known as a chauffeur. The painting is currently held in a private collection.
Joan Miró’s “Portrait of Hiberto Casany. (The Chauffeur)” displays a bold use of color and brushwork that is characteristic of Fauvist techniques. The central figure, presumably Hiberto Casany himself, is portrayed with a marked intensity—the expressive lines and vivid contrasts in the painting enhance the emotional impact of the work. The subject is clad in a dark brown coat with pronounced stripes, sporting a green hat, with a red and green tinge on his face that suggests the use of reflecting light or stylization rather than naturalistic skin tones. His eyes gaze off to the side, suggesting contemplation or distraction.
In the background, a small, colorful depiction of a car can be seen hanging on the wall, which aligns with the subject’s profession as a chauffeur and adds context to the portrait. The golden-yellow backdrop serves to push the figure to the foreground, focusing the viewer’s attention on the rich textures of the coat and the complexity of the subject’s expression.
The artwork stands as an example of the evolution of Miró’s style and an artifact from a transformative period in early 20th-century art, where boundaries were pushed by artists seeking new ways to interpret reality and express emotions through bold color and form.
