Alexander Calder's artistic journey encompasses a significant body of paintings and drawings that, while perhaps less renowned than his mobiles and stabiles, are equally vital to understanding his multifaceted creativity. Initially engaging with figuration and later transitioning to abstraction, Calder's two-dimensional works display his exploration of color, form, and movement, paralleling his sculptural innovations.
Calder's early artistic education at the Art Students League in New York (1923-1926), where he studied under notable artists like John Sloan and George Luks, laid the foundation for his diverse artistic output. This period was marked by his work as an illustrator, including an assignment to sketch the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, sparking his lifelong fascination with the circus theme (The Art Story). This fascination with motion and playfulness permeates his drawings and paintings, mirroring the kinetic energy of his sculptures.
Throughout the 1930s, Calder's shift toward abstraction was influenced significantly by a visit to Piet Mondrian's studio in 1930, where he was inspired by Mondrian's abstract compositions. This encounter led Calder to experiment with abstract forms not only in sculpture but also on canvas, utilizing bold colors and dynamic forms that reflect his sculptural concerns with balance and motion (The Art Story). His paintings from this period, often oil on canvas, showcase abstract compositions that foreshadow the structural and chromatic complexities of his later mobiles (National Gallery of Art).
In addition to oil paintings, Calder extensively used gouache, a medium he favored for its quick-drying properties and vibrant color. His gouache works are celebrated for their lively, whimsical qualities, often incorporating elements from the natural world and his sculptural motifs into fluid, dynamic compositions (Encyclopedia Britannica).
Calder's two-dimensional works, ranging from the early figurative drawings and oil paintings to the later abstract gouaches, offer a window into the breadth of his artistic vision, underscoring a constant interplay between form, color, and movement. These pieces not only complement his sculptural achievements but also stand as a testament to his versatility and creativity as an artist across mediums.