Alexander CalderSpirals and Forms1965
1965
About the Item
- Creator:Alexander Calder (1898 - 1976, American)
- Creation Year:1965
- Dimensions:Height: 26 in (66.04 cm)Width: 38 in (96.52 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU128525790652
Alexander Calder
The American sculptor Alexander Calder is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling.
Because Calder's parents, both artists themselves, did not want him to suffer the hardships of trying to make a living in art, they encouraged the young Calder to study mechanical engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology, in Hoboken, New Jersey. He worked a number of jobs, including as a hydraulic engineer and draftsman for the New York Edison Company, before deciding to pursue an artistic career. He never abandoned his engineering background, however, applying his understanding of gears and moving parts in all his artworks, from mechanical toys like the Cirque Calder (1931) and his revered prints to his free-standing abstract sculptures, called stabiles.
In 1926, Calder moved to Paris and established a studio in the Montparnasse quarter. He began creating the many parts of his famous miniature circus from found materials, such as wire, string, cloth, rubber and cork. Designed to be transportable, Cirque grew to fill five suitcases over the years. Always interested in putting forms in motion, Calder also pioneered a new art form called wire sculptures, which he described as “drawings in space.” Like his famous mobiles, the wire sculptures were suspended so that they turned with any movement of the air, presenting different forms when viewed from different angles.
In the 1950s, Calder returned to his roots in mechanical engineering, creating monumental abstract sculptures that verged on the architectural. He worked from loose gestural drawings like this preparatory sketch for his Man Stabile, from 1966. Throughout his career, he also worked as a set designer for the theater, as well as an illustrator and printmaker, producing vibrant, whimsical drawings for books and journals.
Find original Alexander Calder art today on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Picabia II (Forgot)By Jim DineLocated in New York, NYOffset lithograph, using a single zinc plate, with collage in colors printed from a watercolor on Hodgkinson mould paper Signed, numbered, and dated on rectoCategory
20th Century Pop Art Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Vintage Mona LisaBy Mr. BrainwashLocated in New York, NYVintage Mona Lisa, 2020 Signed and numbered Silkscreen 22.5 x 30 inches Edition 15 of 35Category
2010s Pop Art Abstract Prints
MaterialsScreen
- BeginningBy Allan D'Arcangelo 1Located in New York, NYAllan D'Arcangelo Beginning, 1975 Signed and numbered with studio blindstamp Lithograph with silkscreen and embossing 30 x 22 inches Edition of 200Category
1970s Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph, Screen
- Untitled (SF-355)By Sam FrancisLocated in New York, NYSigned and numbered in pencilCategory
20th Century Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- SeahorseBy Alexander CalderLocated in New York, NYSeahorse, 1975 Signed and numbered in pencil Color lithograph 29.5 x 21.25 inches Edition 100 of 125Category
1970s Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Two Hearts at SunsetBy Jim DineLocated in New York, NYSigned, dated, and numbered in white pencil Color lithograph on Rives BFK paper 19 x 25.5 inches Edition 62 of 200Category
Early 2000s Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Israeli Modernist Silkscreen Print Kotel Wall Jerusalem Kadishman LithographBy Menashe KadishmanLocated in Surfside, FLOn BFK Rives French art paper. This is a Photograph silkscreen print of the Kotel, Western Wall in Jerusalem overlaid with Kadishman drawing. Menashe Kadishman was born in Tel-Aviv ...Category
1970s Pop Art Landscape Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Views of Hotel Well I, from Moving Focus seriesBy David HockneyLocated in Aventura, FLViews of Hotel Well I, from Moving Focus series (T. 280; DH. 67). Lithograph printed in colors on TGL handmade paper. Hand signed, dated and numbered by the artist. original Artist's...Category
1980s Pop Art Figurative Prints
MaterialsPaper, Lithograph
- Saul Steinberg lithograph 1970s (Saul Steinberg prints)By Saul SteinbergLocated in NEW YORK, NYVintage Saul Steinberg Lithograph Published by: Galerie Maeght, Paris, c.1970 Portfolio: Derrière le miroir Excellent frame piece Lithograph in colors 15 x 22 inches Fold-line as i...Category
1970s Pop Art Figurative Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Reflections on CrashBy Roy LichtensteinLocated in New York, NY1990 Lithograph, screenprint on paper and metalised PVC on paper S. 59 1/8 x 75 in. (150.2 x 190.5 cm) Edition of 68 Signed, dated and numbered in pencil, lower marginCategory
1990s Pop Art Abstract Prints
MaterialsPaper, Lithograph, Screen
- Flag I /// Pop Art Jasper Johns Abstract Lithograph Black Modern American ULAEBy (After) Jasper JohnsLocated in Saint Augustine, FLArtist: (after) Jasper Johns (American, 1930-) Title: "Flag I" Series: Facsimile Catalogue of Jasper Johns Prints *Issued unsigned Year: 1975 Mediu...Category
1970s Pop Art Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph, Offset
- Repeated Design /// Pop Art Roy Lichtenstein Abstract Geometric Yellow Black NYBy Roy LichtensteinLocated in Saint Augustine, FLArtist: Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923-1997) Title: "Repeated Design" *Signed, dated, and numbered by Lichtenstein in pencil lower right Year: 1969 Medium: Original Lithograph on Arches paper Limited edition: HC, (a rare hors commerce impression aside from the standard edition of 100) Printer: Atelier Mourlot, New York, NY Publisher: The artist Lichtenstein himself, New York, NY Reference: "The Prints of Roy Lichtenstein: A Catalogue Raisonne 1948-1997" - Corlett No. 90, page 110; Bianchini (1971), Cat. No. 36; Zerner (1975), Cat No. 31 Framing: Framed in a contemporary silver metal frame with archival matting and plexiglass Frame size: 21.25" x 45.25" Sheet size: 16.82" x 40.75" Image size: 12.07" x 35.94" Condition: In mint condition Notes: Provenance: private collection - Detroit, MI, acquired from an art gallery in New York, NY; likely private collection - New York, NY, acquired from DeLind Fine Art Gallery, Milwaukee, WI retaining their original gallery label on verso. Printed in 2 colors: yellow and black. Collaboration: Michel Tabard (printing); Paul Valette (proofing). As Henri Zerner ((1975), 15) has indicated, this print is also known as "Modern Triptych...Category
1960s Pop Art Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph, Plexiglass
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Renowned for His Mobiles, Alexander Calder Was Also Adept at Crafting Modernist Jewelry
There are no sparkling gemstones on this necklace, but its value far exceeds the cost of its materials.
10 Must-Visit American Public Sculptures
Get your dose of Vitamin D while surveying works by the likes of Alexander Calder, Keith Haring and Pablo Picasso.