Bumps 1974

"Bumps" was painted by Alexander Calder in 1974, using gouache and ink on paper. Calder, born in 1898, moved through a world rapidly changing as industrialization and new technologies reshaped societies. This artwork exemplifies Calder’s signature use of bold colors and simplified forms. The playful depiction of organic shapes challenges the traditional landscape genre. The 'bumps'—rendered in vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds—rise against a backdrop of stark black and white stripes, suggesting a dynamic interplay between nature and abstraction. Consider the emotional impact of these colors: the warmth of the yellows and oranges evoking feelings of joy. This choice of color and form is central to Calder's visual language. "The underlying sense of form in my work has continually been the system of the Universe," Calder once said. "Bumps" invites us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world, seen through the lens of abstraction and personal expression.