“Red Sun” is a lithograph created by Alexander Calder in 1968, widely associated with his distinctive style within the figurative genre. It is part of the collection at the Des Moines Art Center in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. This artwork is typical of Calder’s bold and playful aesthetic, combining abstract elements with a suggestion of figuration.
The lithograph features a stark black figure against a white background, which recalls the shape of a sun with a face. This central figure has a symmetrical composition with radiating elements that resemble sunbeams, forming a silhouette suggestive of movement and liveliness. The facial features are stylized and cartoonish, with large white eyes and a broad, grinning mouth. Off to the left side of this figure is a solid red circle representing the actual sun itself, contrasting vividly with both the black figure and the white backdrop.
Calder’s signature and the year ’68 are inscribed near the bottom right corner, attributing the piece to the artist and dating it to the late 1960s. The simplicity of the color scheme, with the bright red offsetting the monochrome black and white, along with the whimsical design, is characteristic of Calder’s work and makes a strong visual statement.
