Quelques animaux 1968

Alexander Calder made "Quelques animaux" using ink on paper. The free flowing ink, with its drips and bleeds, is perfect for suggesting movement and spontaneity, qualities that Calder also explored in his famous mobiles. Here, we see his unique way of approaching materials. The ink is applied with a bold confidence, yet also allowed to behave naturally on the page. It's a simple, almost playful process, yet it demands precision. The dark lines define the shapes of fantastical animals and figures, while the diluted washes create a sense of depth and volume, alluding to the ethereal. Calder was trained as an engineer, and he always had a deep appreciation for materials and their inherent properties. In "Quelques animaux," he uses ink to capture the vitality of line and form. It is a reminder that even the simplest materials, when used with skill and imagination, can result in something both whimsical and profound. It challenges any distinction between high art and craft, showing us the value of materials and process.