Using blue to symbolize artistic creation and spiritual purity, Spanish Surrealist Joan Miro (1893 – 1983) painted “Bleu II,” part of a series of three paintings which he felt summarized his work up to that point. Rejecting conventional techniques, he used a form of freeform drawing called psychic automatism that tapped into his subconscious, creating unusual shapes, lines and colors. Although much of his symbolism represented his strong connection to the Catalan culture, it is the spontaneity and freedom of Surrealism that is popularly associated with Miro’s art.