Black Butterfly 1969

Here's a painting by Alexander Calder made in 1969, seemingly with gouache. The thing I love about Calder’s work is his wonderful, playful exploration of line and form. See how these bold black lines squiggle and dance, creating a sense of movement and energy? And the flat planes of colour, like these gorgeous reds and yellows, feel so immediate and joyful. It's like Calder is inviting us to play along with him! I love the way the black lines feel so gestural, almost as if he made each one in a single, spontaneous breath. The paint is quite matte, with a slight variation in texture that suggests the movement of the hand and arm. Each line seems like a record of a particular moment in time, a kind of dance. This work really makes me think of Joan Miró, especially his use of abstract shapes and playful compositions. Both artists share a love for the unexpected, and a willingness to embrace ambiguity over fixed meaning.