Reds Along the Path 1968

Alexander Calder painted ‘Reds Along the Path’ in 1968 using gouache, and what strikes me first is the energy and playfulness in the colour and forms. Calder is so great at capturing the sheer joy of artmaking as a process. The texture here is interesting, isn’t it? The gouache sits on the paper like velvet, dense with pigment. Look closely, and you can see the strokes of the brush, especially in the blue blob at the bottom left. The yellow ground feels lighter, more transparent, but no less physical. It reminds me that painting is not just about the image, it’s about the paint itself. Calder uses colour to create movement and depth. The reds pop against the yellow, while the black lines weave in and out, connecting the shapes. Calder’s work has a real kinship with Joan Miró, but in a way that feels very specifically American, both artists share a spirit of invention, constantly pushing the boundaries of art. Calder invites us to see the world with fresh eyes, embracing the unexpected and finding beauty in simplicity.