Joan Miró was a world-renowned Spanish Catalan painter, sculptor and ceramist. Born in Barcelona, he studied business and art simultaneously before a serious bout of typhoid in 1911 led him to devote his life to painting. Influenced by Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne and the writings of Sigmund Freud, his work blended abstract art with surrealist fantasy.

His distinctive style incorporated strong colours, Catalan folk art elements, and simplified, childlike forms. He worked extensively in lithography and produced murals, tapestries and sculptures for public spaces.