Enchantée 1972

Alexander Calder made this gouache on paper, titled 'Enchantée' in 1972. At first glance, the floating geometric shapes evoke the whimsy of a child's mobile, one of Calder's best-known inventions. But let's consider the social landscape of the early 1970s. Calder was by then an established figure in the art world, and his work had become deeply embedded in the institutions of art and design. 'Enchantée' can be read as a self-conscious commentary on the commercialization of modernism. The bright colors and simplified forms, while playful, also hint at a kind of mass production, a knowing nod to the commodification of art in a consumer-driven society. The snake slithering at the bottom may even slyly reference the art market itself! Understanding Calder's place in the history of art requires us to research the social conditions that shaped his work. By consulting exhibition catalogs, critical reviews, and historical accounts, we can better understand the complex relationship between art and its cultural context.