The city of Barcelona is a vibrant cultural hub upon which some of the greatest artists in the world have left an indelible mark. The architectural gems of Gaudí are prominently visible as one makes their way through the city but the artworks of Miró can also be spotted all over the place and even welcoming those arriving into the airport with one of his massive mosaics. In fact, those who love the works of Miró are really in for a treat if they book a vacation rental in Barcelona as there is a whole museum dedicated to his work. So, come and follow the artist all through the city and right to his museum as you soak up the culture and art of this incredible destination…
Located on the hill of Montjuïc, not far from the Catalonian National Museum, the Fundació Joan Miró was actually established by Joan Miró himself with the museum opened to the public in June of 1975. Conceived of in 1968 by Miró along with his friend Joan Prats, it was imagined as a space in which younger artists especially would be encouraged to experiment with contemporary art.
To this day, the foundation holds exhibitions of contemporary and 20th century artworks, supports academic research projects and cultural events, holds concerts, acts as a lively cultural hub in the city, and has the "Espai 13" space, which is specifically dedicated to supporting and displaying the work of young and experimental artists.
In addition to these activities, the museum is an incredible archive of the works of Miró and famously the best place in the world to see his work, having received a donation of a large proportion of his oeuvre from the artist, including over 10,000 drawings, paintings, sculptures, carpets, stage designs and more by his hand.
Furthermore, there are works by the likes of Peter Greenaway, Chillida, René Magritte, Rothko, Tàpies and Saura on display in the museum.
Calder’s 4 Wings and Mercury Fountain are on also display at the museum, with the former in the gardens and the latter behind a case inside the building to protect visitors from the poisonous mercury from which it is made.
One of the highlights of the museum, however, is the rooftop terrace where a collection of Miró's colourful sculptures are on display and can be admired alongside wonderful views over the city during a stay in one of our villas in Barcelona.
Finally, the building itself is an impressive work of art, designed by Miró's close friend and a student of Le Corbusier, Josep Lluís Sert. Arranged around an inner courtyard, referencing the architectural forms of Catalonian monasteries and palaces going back to Roman Times. The building harmoniously plays with light, colour, and space in a complementary way to Miró's works, showing a dialogue between the artist and architect and friends in their work.
Movement through the museum also allows guests to experience the pieces on display in different ways, depending on the room through which they are approaching, offering flexibility of experiences and outlining some of Sert’s core ideas when it comes to architecture.
To finish off a visit at the museum, be sure to head to the library to admire Miró's personal book collection and then grab a coffee in the café to enjoy while surrounded by his sculptures – a perfect artistic day out to enjoy if you book a holiday rental in Barcelona and come vacation in Spain with us!
Fundació Joan Miró
Parc de Montjuïc, s/n, Sants-Montjuïc, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
+34 934 43 94 70
Opening hours:
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am to 7pm