The Irish Museum of Modern Art (Imma) has secured a two-year loan of a bronze sculpture by renowned Catalan artist Joan Miró.
Miró's 1974 sculpture, Personnage, was formally presented to Imma yesterday by members of his estate, which is based in Majorca. The black sculpture is two metres (6.6 ft) high and, from some angles, looks like an overturned teacup with an egg placed on top.
Personnage is similar to some of Miró's other work, which also takes smooth geometric forms. Imma will keep the sculpture in the main courtyard at the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham, but may move it in the future.
"We are delighted to add this important work by Miró to the Imma sculpture collection," said director Enriqué Juncosa. "We are hoping, in the coming years, to make greater use of our magnificent grounds, involving the display of a number of different sculptures by some major artist."
Members of Miró's family and a number of artists - such as Barry Flanagan, who will have an exhibition at Imma from June to September - were there for the presentation.
Miró was born in 1893. He worked and lived in Majorca, where he died in 1983. He is noted for his contribution to surrealist and modern art.