Great Yellow Sun 1973

Alexander Calder made this gouache painting – Great Yellow Sun – in 1973, using primary colors, black and white, to conjure a world of geometric forms. The thing I love about Calder is his improvisational approach to color and form; he's like a jazz musician, riffing on a theme. This work feels like a joyful experiment – the sun bursts forth in jagged strokes, the colors vibrate against the background, and the sphere at the bottom adds a touch of playful gravity. It’s easy to imagine Calder, brush in hand, dancing with the canvas, intuitively placing shapes and colors until they click into place. There is a childlike quality of wonder, of pure, unadulterated joy in the act of making. And the black outlines have a graphic quality, making the painting feel modern and accessible. Calder’s work always reminds me that art is about having fun.