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Student Artwork Guide

North South

Joan Miró, 1917

Name Class Date
Joan Miró, North South (1917). Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Joan Miró originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/joan-miro/
Artist’s dates
1893 – 1983
Painted
1917
Medium
Acrylic On Canvas
Original size
62 x 70 cm
Movement
Fauvism Wild, unnatural colour used straight from the tube — critics called the painters "wild beasts".
Period
Modern
Influences
Fauvism, Expressionism
Notable_elements
Still life scene, Everyday objects, Vivid contrasting colors, Thick black outlines
Style
Bold, expressive, vibrant colors, dynamic brushwork
Subject
Domestic scene with objects like teapot, potted plant, birdcage, sign

Copyright This work is still under copyright. Joan Miró died in 1983; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2053. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 11, 2026

North South — Joan Miró Part 1 · The artwork

In context

North South — Joan Miró

How big is it?

The original measures 62 × 70 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1890
  2. 1900
  3. 1910
  4. 1920
  5. 1930
  6. 1940
  7. 1950
  8. 1960
  9. 1970
  10. 1980

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 90 at death.

Painted when the artist was 24. The artist lived to 90. 3 of the 124 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Joan Miró (1893–1983) ▲ this work, 1917 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1925 Main working years: 1925–1953 Late works: from 1953

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/joan-miro-north-south-5ZKCU9-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Sap Green #64734c

    Catalogued palette

    • #64734C
    • #B9C082
    • #262B2E
    • #B55D28

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Dark The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Sap Green
    Intensity
    Vivid How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Discordant Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Clear Color Presence How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Joan Miró over the last twelve months — 71 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 23.9%27,500 visits
    2. 2 Spain 8.7%10,000 visits
    3. 3 United States of America 7.6%8,800 visits
    4. 4 Poland 6.4%7,400 visits
    5. 5 France 5.4%6,200 visits
    6. 6 Germany 5.3%6,100 visits
    7. 7 Brazil 4.8%5,500 visits
    8. 8 Italy 4.4%5,100 visits
    9. 9 Argentina 2.4%2,800 visits
    10. 10 Canada 2.2%2,500 visits
    11. · 61 other countries 28.9%33,200 visits

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Joan Miró

    1. 1 Ciphers and Constellations, in Love with a Woman, 1941 13.2%30,300 visits
    2. 2 Joan Miró- Catalan Landscape (The Hunter), 1924 8.0%18,400 visits
    3. 3 Harlequin's Carnival, 1925 3.4%7,700 visits
    4. 4 Blue II, 1961 3.2%7,400 visits
    5. 5 La poetisa 2.4%5,400 visits
    6. 6 Painting, 1933 2.3%5,200 visits
    7. 7 The Farm, 1922 2.2%5,100 visits
    8. 8 The Poetess, 1940 2.2%5,000 visits
    9. 9 Siesta, 1925 2.0%4,500 visits
    10. 10 Dutch Interior I, 1928 1.9%4,300 visits
    11. 11 Still Life with Old Shoe, 1937 1.7%4,000 visits
    12. 12 The Birth of the World, 1925 1.7%3,900 visits
    13. 13 Dancer, 1925 1.7%3,800 visits
    14. 14 The Smile of the Flamboyant Wings, 1953 1.5%3,400 visits
    15. 15 Woman Encircled by the Flight of a Bird, 1941 1.3%2,900 visits
    16. 16 Dog Barking-at the Moon, 1926 1.2%2,800 visits
    17. 17 The Birth of Day, 1968 1.0%2,400 visits
    18. 18 Constellation: Toward the Rainbow, 1941 1.0%2,300 visits
    19. 19 Fiesta snob para la princesa 1.0%2,200 visits
    20. 91 North South, 1917 this painting 0.2%400 visits

    Together these works take 53.1% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 409 works by this artist, of which 293 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 91 of them, with 0.2% of that attention (400 visits). The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 11, 2026

    North South — Joan Miró Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    North South — Joan Miró

    Vibrant Composition and Subject Matter

    This captivating artwork presents a lively still life scene filled with everyday objects that evoke a sense of domestic familiarity and personal memory. Among the depicted items are a teapot, a potted plant, a birdcage with a bird, a box labeled "GET ME," and a sign reading "NORD-SUD." The arrangement suggests a narrative of travel, home life, and personal stories, inviting viewers to explore the symbolic significance behind each element. The composition’s energetic placement of objects creates a dynamic visual dialogue, engaging viewers with its playful yet meaningful tableau.

    Style and Artistic Technique

    Created in 1917, this piece exemplifies a bold, expressive style reminiscent of Fauvism and Expressionism. The artist employs vigorous, gestural brushwork with thick, textured paint application, likely using oil or acrylics. The use of vivid, contrasting colors—bright greens, reds, yellows, and blues—imbues the scene with vibrancy and emotional intensity. Thick black outlines define shapes and contours, emphasizing the spontaneity and raw energy of the artist’s hand. The flattened perspective and stylized forms prioritize emotional expression over realistic depiction, resulting in a composition that pulsates with vitality and immediacy.

    Historical Context and Artistic Significance

    Painted during a period of artistic experimentation in the early 20th century, this work reflects the revolutionary spirit of modernism. The artist’s embrace of vivid color and expressive line work aligns with movements seeking to break free from traditional realism, emphasizing subjective experience and emotional resonance. The piece captures the essence of a transitional era in art, where abstraction and symbolism began to redefine visual storytelling. Its energetic style and bold palette make it a compelling example of how artists sought to communicate complex feelings and ideas through vivid, non-representational means.

    Symbolism and Emotional Impact

    Every element within this composition carries potential symbolic weight—perhaps representing themes of travel ("NORD-SUD"), domestic comfort, or personal freedom. The playful yet chaotic arrangement evokes a sense of spontaneity and emotional immediacy, inviting viewers to connect on a visceral level. The vibrant colors and vigorous brushstrokes generate a sense of movement and vitality, stirring feelings of joy, curiosity, and introspection. This artwork’s expressive power makes it an inspiring centerpiece for both private collections and interior spaces seeking a touch of dynamic, emotional depth.

    A Unique Addition for Art Lovers and Interior Design

    Perfectly suited for collectors and interior designers, this high-quality reproduction offers a striking focal point that combines artistic innovation with emotional richness. Its bold style complements contemporary, eclectic, or modern interiors, adding a splash of color and energy to any space. Whether displayed in a living room, office, or gallery, this piece promises to inspire conversation and admiration. Its historical significance and vibrant execution make it a timeless choice for those who appreciate the power of expressive, modern art.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 11, 2026

    North South — Joan Miró Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Joan Miró

    Born in Barcelona, Spain

    A Catalan Visionary: The Life and Art of Joan Miró

    Joan Miró i Ferrà, born in Barcelona in 1893, stands as one of the most significant figures in 20th-century art. His journey was not merely a progression through styles but an exploration of inner worlds, translating dreams, memories, and Catalan identity onto canvas with a uniquely poetic visual language. From humble beginnings marked by illness and initial parental reservations about his artistic pursuits, Miró persevered, driven by an innate need to express the intangible—the emotions, sensations, and subconscious currents that lie beneath the surface of reality. His early life was steeped in the traditions of Barcelona, a city brimming with architectural marvels thanks to Antoni Gaudí, whose organic forms would subtly influence Miró’s later abstractions. The goldsmithing profession of his father instilled an appreciation for meticulous craftsmanship, while the rugged Catalan landscape became a recurring motif and source of inspiration throughout his career.

    Early Influences and the Path to Surrealism

    Miró's formal artistic training began at La Llotja in Barcelona, where he honed his skills in traditional techniques. However, it was exposure to the avant-garde movements sweeping through Paris that truly ignited his creative evolution. The vibrant colors of Fauvism and the fragmented forms of Cubism resonated deeply, prompting him to move to Paris in 1920. This period proved pivotal as he encountered artists like Pablo Picasso and began experimenting with increasingly abstract compositions. Yet, Miró didn’t simply adopt these styles; he synthesized them, forging a path toward his own distinctive aesthetic. He sought to distill forms to their essence, stripping away representational details in favor of symbolic shapes and evocative colors. This exploration led him to the Surrealist group in 1924, aligning him with artists such as Max Ernst and Salvador Dalí. While embracing the Surrealist interest in the subconscious, Miró maintained a unique sensibility—his work was less about shocking imagery or Freudian symbolism than it was about creating a world of playful forms and poetic suggestion.

    The Language of Symbols: Key Works and Artistic Innovations

    Throughout the 1920s and 30s, Miró developed his signature visual vocabulary—a universe populated by biomorphic shapes, floating forms, and vibrant colors. The Farm (1922), often considered a cornerstone of his oeuvre, exemplifies this transition. It’s not merely a depiction of rural life but an evocation of Catalan identity and a symbolic representation of the natural world. His collaborative spirit led to innovative techniques like grattage, pioneered with Max Ernst in 1926 for designs intended for Sergei Diaghilev's ballet, where textures were revealed by scraping paint across canvas. The Dutch Interiors (1928) series demonstrated his ability to reinterpret the Old Masters through a distinctly modern lens, transforming domestic scenes into dreamlike abstractions. Painting (1933), with its bold colors and simplified forms, encapsulates Miró’s exploration of the subconscious and his rejection of conventional artistic boundaries. Beyond painting, Miró fearlessly experimented with sculpture, ceramics, and printmaking, expanding his creative horizons and demonstrating a remarkable versatility.

    Legacy and Enduring Influence

    Joan Miró's impact on 20th-century art is undeniable. He wasn’t simply a painter; he was a visionary who challenged the very definition of artistic expression. His work paved the way for abstract expressionism and continues to inspire artists across disciplines. He established two foundations—the Fundació Joan Miró in Barcelona (1975) and the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró in Palma de Mallorca (1981)—ensuring that his legacy would endure, providing spaces for artistic exploration and education. Throughout his long career, he remained committed to pushing boundaries, questioning conventions, and exploring the depths of human imagination. Miró’s art is a testament to the power of abstraction, symbolism, and poetic expression—a vibrant celebration of life, dreams, and the enduring spirit of Catalan culture. His work continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, inviting us to enter a world where anything is possible and the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur into a captivating dance of color and form.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for North South

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/joan-miro-north-south-5ZKCU9-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Miró, Joan. North South. 1917, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/joan-miro-north-south-5ZKCU9-en/
    APA
    Miró, Joan (1917). North South [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/joan-miro-north-south-5ZKCU9-en/
    Chicago
    Joan Miró. North South. 1917. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/joan-miro-north-south-5ZKCU9-en/
    Harvard
    Miró, Joan (1917) North South. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/joan-miro-north-south-5ZKCU9-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 11, 2026

    North South — Joan Miró Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    North South — Joan Miró

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: still life, vivid colors, domestic scene. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Ciphers and Constellations, in Love with a Woman (1941), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Fauvism: Wild, unnatural colour used straight from the tube — critics called the painters "wild beasts". Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 11, 2026

    North South — Joan Miró Part 5 · Look closely

    Art quiz

    North South — Joan Miró

    How well do you know this artwork?

    Tick one answer for each of the 5 questions below. Each has exactly one correct answer.

    1. 1. Who is the artist of the artwork titled 'North South'?

      • A Pablo Picasso
      • B Joan Miró
      • C Salvador Dalí

    2. 2. In what year was 'North South' created?

      • A 1917
      • B 1925
      • C 1930

    3. 3. Which artistic styles are reflected in 'North South'?

      • A Impressionism and Realism
      • B Fauvism and Expressionism
      • C Cubism and Surrealism

    4. 4. What are some notable elements depicted in 'North South'?

      • A A cityscape and skyscrapers
      • B A domestic scene with everyday objects
      • C A landscape with mountains

    5. 5. What technique is prominently used in 'North South'?

      • A Thin, precise lines and muted colors
      • B Bold colors, thick outlines, and expressive brushwork
      • C Pointillism with small dots

    My score: ____ out of 5

    Answer key — for the teacher

    This starts a fresh printed page, so it can simply be left out of the copies.

    1B · 2A · 3B · 4B · 5B

    Check any answer against the catalogue record for this painting

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 11, 2026

    North South — Joan Miró Part 6 · Art quiz

    Questions & Answers

    What atmosphere does "North South" have?

    "North South" has a bold atmosphere.

    Is a high-resolution download of "North South" available?

    A digital image of "North South" by Joan Miró can be purchased on its Digital Image page: a high-resolution digital image download.

    Is Joan Miró, creator of "North South", known under other names?

    Joan Miró appears under the alternate names Joan Miro.