Butterflies 1964

Alexander Calder made this gouache painting called Butterflies sometime during his career as a departure from his more well-known sculptural work. The orange background is loose and washy, and it contrasts with the sharp, black crosses and squiggles. I love how the watercolor bleeds and blooms into the paper, creating soft edges and unexpected textures. See how the black ink pools in some areas, creating depth and shadow? In other spots, the blue butterfly is so vibrant and playful. Calder’s not trying to hide the process, but is really embracing the materiality of paint and ink. I can imagine him swirling the brush, letting the colors mix and mingle on the page. The contrast between the loose, organic shapes and the more structured elements is what makes the image so dynamic. Kind of reminds me of Joan Miró’s paintings, where playful biomorphic forms dance across the canvas. Ultimately, Calder invites us to see the world with childlike wonder. It’s a reminder that art, like life, is full of surprises.