Black Man 1969

This is Alexander Calder’s “Black Man,” and it feels almost like a blueprint for a mobile, but on paper. The shapes are so graphic, with a playful use of primary colors – red, yellow, and blue – popping against the stark black figure. You can really see the hand of the artist here, even in its flatness. The way the colors are laid down, there’s this sense of directness, like he wasn’t trying to hide the process. It's so simple and bold, like a child's drawing, but also has a sophisticated understanding of form and color. Looking at this, I’m reminded of Joan Miró, especially the way he uses simple shapes to create a sense of playfulness and wonder. It's like a conversation between artists, where one idea sparks another, and they keep riffing off each other to create something new and unexpected.