Red to the Front 1973

Alexander Calder made this painting, Red to the Front, sometime during his later years in '73. It's got these bold, playful shapes in primary colors – red, yellow, blue – plus black. Imagine Calder in his studio, moving these shapes around, trying out different arrangements until they balance just right. I can feel the hand in this work. The paint isn't trying to hide itself. I love seeing those brushstrokes, they give the forms a sense of movement and weight. I imagine him shifting them like puzzle pieces, seeking a vibrant harmony. Calder was always playing with movement and space, right? I get a similar feeling from Joan Miró’s biomorphic shapes. They both share this language of joyful abstraction. I see the conversation between artists across time, inspiring each other to see the world in new ways. This painting’s a reminder that art isn't about perfection; it's about the ongoing process of discovery and exchange.