The artwork titled “Pyramids” by Alexander Calder, created in 1975, is a lithograph that reflects the Abstract Art movement. As an abstract piece, it does not attempt to represent accurate depictions of visual reality but instead uses shapes, colors, forms, and gestural marks to achieve its effect.
Describing the artwork, we observe a lively and dynamic composition dominated by the geometric form of the pyramid. The lithograph features a variety of pyramid shapes with flat colored faces in red, blue, and black, and some of the pyramids have white faces outlined in black. These shapes are set against a bright yellow background that occupies the lower two-thirds of the artwork, which adds an energetic and warm atmosphere to the piece. The composition is bordered at the top by a series of black horizontal lines of varying thickness, above which lie two circular forms, one black and one white, against a white background. These elements may evoke a sense of horizon and sky, giving a landscape interpretation to the abstraction. The bold, stark outlines and solid areas of color contribute to the work’s striking visual impact, reflecting Calder’s signature abstract style, which he is more famously known for manifesting in his mobile sculptures.
