Black Chair 1969

Alexander Calder made this playful gouache on paper, called "Black Chair," sometime in the 1960s. Calder, of course, is best known for his invention of the mobile; delicate arrangements of wire and painted metal that hung in the air, dancing with the slightest breeze. Here, we see two nudes, male and female, rendered in a style reminiscent of Matisse’s line drawings, as well as an ominous snake slithering along the ground. Calder seems to turn the art historical trope of the nude on its head. Rather than idealized figures, these are quirky, imperfect bodies, presented with a refreshing lack of reverence. The black chair, stark against a saturated blue, adds an element of domesticity to the scene, perhaps suggesting a critique of traditional gender roles within the home. "Black Chair" challenges us to reconsider how we view the body and its place within the social landscape. It's a whimsical yet thought-provoking piece, inviting us to question the norms that shape our perceptions.