Red Eagle 1968

This gouache painting was made by Alexander Calder in 1968. Gouache is kind of like opaque watercolor, and that bright yellow ground really sings. But the way the grid is laid on top feels almost playful, like someone doodling in the margins of their notebook. There’s something so immediate about the marks in this piece. The red eagle itself, dominating the composition, feels both iconic and off-the-cuff. Look at the way Calder uses these simple geometric shapes, placing them with such casual confidence. The surface is flat, the colors are bold, and the execution is almost childlike in its directness. It reminds me of Miró’s Constellations, but with a Calder twist. What I love about Calder is that he reminds us that art doesn't have to be serious to be profound. It can be fun, and still ask big questions.