Miro: The Ladder of Escape

Saturday afternoon at the Tate Modern and the Miró exhibition is packed. In a smart move, we chose to navigate the rooms back to front, eventually exiting at the entrance. Doing so led us to contemplate the following question: was it imperative for Miró, and indeed, did he, learn traditional, classical painting skills before turning to the impressionistic style he is famous for?

Our journey through the 13 rooms of his artwork led us to the answer; or rather, to Miró’s 1920s canvas; ‘The Farm’. This painting alone exemplifies both Miró’s ability to paint with the utmost skill, plus offers an early glimpse of his abstract work which was to arrive years later.

In short, The Ladder of Escape not only offers a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with Miró’s masterpieces, but also the chance to experience firsthand the natural development of Miró’s world renowned and instantly recognisable style.

The Farm, 1921-1922

Personages and Mountains, 1936

The Escape Ladder, 1940

Hope of a Condemned Man I, 11, 111, 1974

Miró: The Ladder of Escape is on at the Tate Modern, London, until 11th September.