Miro & Contemporary Art
Joan Miro and Mallorca — this is a love story that lasted over 50 years and left one of the island's most important artistic legacies.
Miro in Mallorca
Joan Miro (1893–1983) first came to Mallorca in 1929 — his mother was from a Mallorcan family, and in 1929 he married Pilar Juncosa, also a Mallorcan. However, it was not until 1956 that he moved permanently to the island and had a studio built in Cala Major, a suburb of Palma, by the renowned architect Josep Lluis Sert. This studio — flooded with light, spacious, with a view of the sea — became the workshop where Miro created much of his later work: paintings, sculptures, ceramics, prints.
Fundacio Pilar i Joan Miro
The foundation, established by Miro himself in 1981, includes the Sert studio, a museum building designed by Rafael Moneo (1992), and Miro's former residence (Son Boter). Visiting the studio is the highlight: It has been left as Miro last used it — brushes, paint tubes, half-finished canvases, found objects that served as inspiration. You can almost physically feel the creative spirit. The collection includes over 6,000 works, including paintings, drawings, and a remarkable collection of prints. Admission: about 9 €. Be sure to visit the sculpture garden.
Es Baluard Museu d'Art Contemporani
Palma's museum for contemporary art, opened in 2004 in a spectacular building that merges old city walls from the 16th century with modern architecture. The collection includes works by Miro, Picasso, Barcelo, Tapies, and contemporary Balearic artists. The rooftop terrace offers one of the most beautiful views of the harbor and the cathedral. Admission: about 6 €, free on Friday afternoons.
Other Art Venues
- CaixaForum (in the former Gran Hotel) — high-caliber temporary exhibitions, free admission
- Museo Sa Bassa Blanca (Alcudia) — the Yannick and Ben Jakober collection in spectacular architecture above the Bay of Pollenca: contemporary art, historical children's portraits, and a sculpture park
- Galleries in Santa Catalina and Sa Gerreria — Palma's vibrant gallery scene is concentrated in these two districts
- Nit de l'Art (September) — Palma's art night, where galleries, museums, and studios open until midnight
💡 Tipp
The Fundacio Miro in Cala Major is quietest on Saturday mornings. Take city bus No. 3 or 46 from Placa d'Espanya. Tip: Visit the studio first, then the exhibition, then the sculpture garden — this sequence makes the visit most impactful.