Personnage Gothique, Oiseau-Eclair, Bronze sculpture in National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, United States
Description
Personnage Gothique, Oiseau-Eclair is a large bronze sculpture made from cast forms and found objects combined together. The work stands approximately 14 feet (4.5 meters) tall and merges abstract and organic shapes into an ambiguous human figure.
History
Joan Miró created this bronze work in 1974 during his later years when he turned from painting to large-scale sculpture. The piece emerged at a time when the artist deepened his experimental approach and explored new casting techniques.
Culture
The sculpture combines everyday objects like a cardboard box and a donkey collar cast in bronze to create a figure. This approach invites visitors to see familiar items transformed into something unexpected and thought-provoking.
Practical
The sculpture is on display year-round in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, which offers free entry to all visitors. The grounds provide ample space to walk around and view this large work from multiple angles.
Did you know?
This is the second and final cast version of the work and the only one completed during Miró's lifetime. The bronze bears the artist's signature and foundry mark as evidence of his personal involvement in its creation.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Washington, D.C.).
National Mall
264 m
National Archives and Records Administration
112 m
National Museum of Natural History
224 m
Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building
209 m
United States Navy Memorial
258 mSpider
25 m
Civil War Monuments in Washington, D.C.
1.2 km
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
66 m
House I
119 m
Temperance Fountain
268 m
Stephenson Grand Army of the Republic Memorial
254 m
Man Controlling Trade
247 m
Captain Nathan Hale
127 m
General Winfield Scott Hancock
237 m
Four-Sided Pyramid
131 m
Cheval Rouge
99 mAurora
72 m
Puellae
58 m
An Entrance to the Paris Métropolitain
85 m
Cubi XXVI
119 m
Guardianship
84 m
Heritage
58 m
Chair Transformation Number 20B
139 m
Past (Aitken)
160 m
Present (Aitken)
171 m
National Archives Building
112 m
Stele II
96 m
The Lone Sailor
267 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes