37 Works Added to Permanent Collection

The Fundació Joan Miró in Barcelona has incorporated 37 artworks by Joan Miró into its collection on a 10-year deposit from the Kazumasa Katsuta Collection. The announcement was made at a press conference on Thursday 29 October 2026 by Maribel López Zambrana, the foundation's director, president Sara Puig, Akiko Katsuta, daughter of collector Kazumasa Katsuta, and Teresa Montaner, head of Collections. From Thursday 29 October, 29 of the 37 works are on public display in the foundation’s galleries. The remaining pieces will be gradually integrated into the exhibition as part of the museum’s regular rotation.

Expanding Research and Public Access

López Zambrana, who assumed her role in October 2026, stated that international collaboration and research will be a key priority for the institution. She described the new additions as a clear demonstration of the foundation’s dynamism and ongoing transformation, enhancing public understanding of Miró’s role in 20th-century art. Puig emphasized that the 10-year agreement will open new avenues for scholarly research and sustain the vitality of the collection. The Katsuta Collection primarily comprises works acquired through Miró’s former dealer in the United States, Pierre Matisse, with later additions from figures such as Raymond Queneau and René Gaffé.

The incorporation of these new works is a clear example of the Foundation's dynamism and constant capacity for transformation.

A Lifelong Passion for Miró

Akiko Katsuta spoke of her father’s lifelong dedication to Miró’s work, noting that the 87-year-old collector maintains a fervent passion for the artist despite living far from Catalonia. She expressed emotional difficulty in parting with the artworks but affirmed that placing them at the foundation aligns with what Miró himself would have wanted. Teresa Montaner explained that the new works represent a period of experimentation in Miró’s career, offering fresh insights that were previously underrepresented in the foundation’s holdings. The additions enrich the current exhibition Joan Miró. Circles, particularly the themes of 'Open and Closed' and 'Rhythm'.

Highlights of the Collection

  • Painting-poem ('Bonheur d'aimer ma brune') (1925), a significant work blending calligraphy and poetry
  • Painting (1927)
  • The Half-Open Sky Gives Us Back Hope (1954)
  • Landscape in the Night (1966–1974)
  • Song on a White Background (1966)
  • Two canvases from 1960: Painting V/V and Painting IV/V
  • Six sculptures and two ceramics

The full Katsuta Collection integration is now accessible via the Fundació Joan Miró's official page.

Sources: Europa Press.