Gargantua

Created in 1977, this monumental print was created by Miró in collaboration with printmaker Robert Dutrou, using Henri Goetz's innovative carborundum printmaking technique. The image draws inspiration from the 16th century pentalogy by François Rabelais, which humorously chronicles the adventures of the two giants, Gargantua and his son Pantagruel. The composition features a dynamic interplay of floating visual elements, layered to create a sense of depth and movement. Though abstracted in Miró's signature style, the giant's colourful eyes emerge distinctly. Dominated by broad, black forms, the image overwhelms the viewer with the enormity of its forms. The print's dynamic composition, combined with the artist's use of vibrant reds, blues, and yellows, merges literary reference with artistic style to bring this legendary figure to life.

Etching and aquatint with carborundum in colours, 1977, on Arches wove paper, signed in white crayon and numbered 25 from the edition of 50 (there are also 14 Hors Commerce copies), printed by Morsang, Paris, published by Maeght, Paris, with their blindstamp, sheet: 1595 x 1200 mm. (62¾ x 47¼ in.)

Dupin 972