A l’Estellés (To Vicent Andrés Estellés)

This is a work that is both representative of the “Personatges” (Personalities) and the “Sense Sèrie” (Non-Series) series, and yet it also has features that set it apart. The similarity with the former lies in its intent to pay homage to famous people whom Miró admires by using similar pictorial strategies (size, frame selection, composition, general lack of colour, and a curious use of texture that gives them all a special appearance). We shall turn to the singular, distinctive features of the latter shortly.

Vicent Andrés Estellés, the poet and journalist from Burjassot, was a good friend of Miró’s. Estellés wrote some deeply reflective texts on Miró’s art, which reflect the assumption of them giving voice to the Valencian people. Miró similarly painted Estellés on other occasions in this series, yet this canvas stands out because the poet is shown in profile — something rare in the artist’s portraits. Miró also blurs the edges of the bust, letting it fade imperceptibly into the background.

The portrait itself, as far as it has a figure, comprises a light mass that is compositionally balanced on a canvas flooded by a dark, almost black background. Nevertheless, the background is not uniform, giving an impression of depth. The left-hand side has a very dark brown hue, while the right-hand side has a reddish hue that vanishes into the black base. These two areas have been crafted so that the sloping brushstrokes are noticeable, even more so on the right-hand side.

Regarding his appearance, the skin on the face is slightly tinted, approaching a natural skin tone. By contrast, the shirt collar and the glasses are defined only by white and grey. The characteristic surface scratchings found in this series, which convey a temporal sheen, are less marked than in the other paintings and are not found in the background areas, unlike the usual.

Glasses are a key element in the composition, and not only because they occupy the centre of the canvas. They provide depth as an object superimposed on the face and also add some reflections with the lenses. The impression of depth is also enhanced by the way in which the subject’s sidepieces remain visible in an area of the canvas where his head can no longer be seen.

Santiago Pastor Vila