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Joan Miró made no distinction between visual art and literature. He did not illustrate books as such, but instead created a free interpretation of the text, with the typography ensuring the correct proportions and rhythm between image and text. In this book of 72 lithographs, Miró gave expression to the subconscious, mainly using primary colours and organic forms. He did not take a figurative approach, but instead employed forms related to signs and symbols from the subconscious, which was perfectly in line with the work of surrealists such as Tristan Tzara, with whom Miró had been working since 1930. The text was written in 1945, while the lithographs were printed between 1948 and 1950. In 1950, the book was finally brought out by Aimé Maeght, the Parisian art dealer and publisher who created such excellent working conditions for his artists, including collaborations with master printer Mourlot.