Blue Boomerang and Hourglass 1963

Alexander Calder created this gouache painting of basic forms on paper, probably in his studio. Imagine him with his brush, dancing these simple shapes onto the page. A yellow ground, like sunshine, with simple black lines, an hourglass shape, and a spiral. Then that blue, I love how the blue sort of anchors the image. It’s so primary, so elemental. Calder’s playfulness is really coming through here, right? It’s like he’s using these flat shapes to create a whole world. It’s like he’s saying, hey, painting can be fun! It doesn't have to be serious or heavy. I imagine Calder looking at Miro, maybe Klee, and thinking about how to bring some of that lightness into his own work. These simple, free-flowing shapes are so joyful. I see a connection with his mobiles, too. Just like those sculptures, this painting feels alive and dynamic, full of movement and possibility.