Joan Miro (1893-1983) - Cop de Poma

A stroke of luck
Etching and embossing, 1962, on Arches paper, pencil-signed, inscribed EA (artist’s proof), an artist’s proof apart from the edition of 30, published by Sala Gaspar, Barcelona, with wide margins.
Paper size: 53 × 37 cm
Image size: 30 × 22 cm
Very good condition. Accompanied by a certificate from Miquel Gaspar.
References: Cramer catalogue no. 78.

The artist’s book Cop de Poma by Joan Brossa was a collaboration between the painters Joan Miró and Antoni Tàpies, the sculptor Moisès Villèlia, the poet Joan Brossa, and the composer Josep M. Mestres Quadreny.

Thirty copies of this unusual work were produced, each numbered by Miró. The packaging consists of a wooden case with a reed fastening made by Villèlia. Inside is a book with thick cardboard covers worked by Tàpies. The book opens with a poem by Brossa, which includes both a description of the work and instructions for the execution of the score. This is followed by Mestres Quadreny’s piano score and five prints by Miró.

Miró’s prints inspired Mestres to structure the work as a set of variations. These variations consist of five sheets bearing the same relief, allowing for different colorations. The basic colors are black and white, the same as those of the piano keys; occasionally, small touches of another color appear.

The first print has a black background, and in his musical interpretation, Mestres calls for the instrument’s maximum volume; the last print is white, and the composer asks that the final passage be played pianissimo. The colored marks in Miró’s drawings suggest to Mestres sounds produced inside the piano itself.

Joan Miró (1893–1983) was a Spanish painter, sculptor, and printmaker born in Barcelona, and one of the most influential figures of 20th-century art. Associated with Surrealism, he developed a highly personal visual language based on biomorphic forms, poetic signs, and vivid colors, inspired by dreams, nature, and Catalan culture. His work consistently pursued creative freedom and experimentation, extending across multiple disciplines including ceramics, printmaking, and artists’ books. Miró achieved international recognition and left a decisive legacy in modern and contemporary art.

Stroke of luck
Etching and drypoint, 1962, on Arches, signed in pencil, inscribed Ea, artist's proof apart from the edition of 30, published by Sala Gaspar, Barcelona, with wide margins.
Paper size: 53 x 37 cm
Image size: 30 x 22 cm
Very good condition. Certificate from Miquel Gaspar attached.
References: Cramer catalog No. 78.
The Artist's Book by Joan Brossa, 'Cop de Poma,' was a collaboration between painters Joan Miró and Antoni Tàpies, sculptor Moisès Villèlia, poet Joan Brossa, and composer Josep M. Mestres Quadreny.
This curious work was made in thirty numbered copies by Miró. Its packaging is a wooden case with a cane closure made by Villèlia. Inside, there is a book with thick cardboard covers worked by Tàpies. The book begins with a poem by Brossa, which includes the description of the work and the execution instructions for the score. It continues with the piano score by Mestres Quadreny and five engravings by Miró. Miró's engravings give Mestres the idea that the work should be in the form of variations. These variations are based on five sheets with the same relief, allowing for different colorations. The primary colors are white and black, the same as the piano keys; sometimes, small spots of another color appear.
The first recording is on a black background, and Mestres uses the maximum volume of the instrument in his music presentation; the last recording is white, and the composer requests that the final fragment be played very softly. The color stains in Miró's drawings suggest to Mestres sounds made inside the piano.