Construction with Orbs 1970

Alexander Calder made this painting, Construction with Orbs, in 1970 using gouache on paper. What strikes me is how playful and intuitive the process feels. The marks aren't precise, but they're full of energy, as if Calder was working quickly, letting the shapes and colors emerge organically. Looking closely, you can see the texture of the gouache. It's not trying to hide anything. In the blue section, the brushstrokes are visible, giving the surface a kind of raw, handmade feel. The colors are bold and primary, popping against the black and white. It’s like a dance between control and chance. This piece reminds me of Joan Miró, another artist who embraced spontaneity and childlike wonder in their work. It reflects how art is an ongoing conversation, with artists borrowing, responding to, and riffing off each other's ideas. Calder’s work invites us to let go of fixed meanings and embrace the ambiguity of seeing.