The Unfinished Butterfly 1969

"The Unfinished Butterfly" is a 1969 work by the American artist Alexander Calder. The drawing is characterized by Calder's bold, simplified lines and black and white palette. The central figure is a stylized human face, with large eyes and a wide, toothy grin. The title and the inclusion of a small butterfly in the corner suggests a theme of childhood or the natural world. This type of work is typical of Calder’s later years, when he explored themes of humor and the human form through simple, abstract compositions.