La Mangouste

Name/Title

La Mangouste

Context

Theme based on Kipling's Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.

Collection

Artwork Collection

Acquisition

Accession

1957.3

Acquisition Method

Purchase

Made/Created

Artist

Joan Miró

Manufacturer

Unidentified

Date made

circa 1957

Notes

Christie's reports that the “La Mangouste” motif, "[c]onceived in 1935," "was first executed as a tapestry in 1960 by Marie Cuttoli in an unnumbered edition and was later reissued by Lucie Weill-Seligmann, Au pont des arts, in a limited edition of approx. 10-15 examples." However, unless the Cuttoli edition has been mis-dated, the item in the MPL collection apparently predates it, since the tapestry was installed in the Central Youth Library by 1957. It is also numbered 4/10, even though the Cuttoli edition was reportedly unnumbered. Also, the item in the MPL collection seems to be smaller than any examples from online auction records, which all seem to measure around 60"H x 80"W.

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Signature

Location

Verso

Transcription

"J. MIRO 4/10"

Material/Technique

Woven

Type

Label

Transcription

"MADE IN FRANCE"

Notes

A handwritten label is stitched into the verso. As of 2025, there appeared to be two lines of additional lettering/numbering below "Made in France," but it was too faded to make out. Line 2 of 3 appeared to end with the numbers "220" or possibly "1220."

Dimensions

Height

43 in

Width

60 in

Interpretative Labels

Label

Although not intended by the artist as a work of children's art, Library records describe it as a "theme based on Kipling's Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" ('The Mongoose'). It was made in France and acquired for the opening of the Central Youth Library in 1957. The work was a centerpiece of the Central Youth Library, which provided innovative, world-class services to children and youth at the Milwaukee Central Library. The Central Youth Library is known today as the Central Library Children's Room: https://www.mpl.org/hours_locations/betty_brinn.php