Blue Sphere and Others 1971

Alexander Calder made this painting called 'Blue Sphere and Others' with paint, but the date is unknown. What strikes me first is the way he puts down the colour, especially that big blue sphere. It feels direct, honest, and playful all at once. The paint isn't trying to be anything it's not; it's just colour sitting on the surface, making no apologies. Look at the way he handles the horizon line, a simple, dark stroke that divides the space. It’s so casual, almost like a doodle, yet it anchors the whole composition. The spheres themselves, some solid, some just outlines, create a sense of movement, like they're dancing in space. I think of Joan Miró who also uses simple shapes and colours to suggest a whole universe of possibilities. Both artists remind us that art doesn't have to be serious or complicated. Sometimes, the simplest gestures can say the most.