Le Jardin Fantastique
View Similar Items
Alexander CalderLe Jardin Fantastique1975
1975
About the Item
- Creator:Alexander Calder (1898 - 1976, American)
- Creation Year:1975
- Dimensions:Height: 22.75 in (57.79 cm)Width: 30.75 in (78.11 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Palm Desert, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: 102541stDibs: LU931008823
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.
- Black PyramidsBy Alexander CalderLocated in Palm Desert, CAA print by Alexander Calder. "Black Pyramids" is a geometrical abstract print, color lithograph on wove paper in a palette or reds, blacks, and yellows by Post-War artist Alexander C...Category
Mid-20th Century Post-War Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- UntitledBy Josef AlbersLocated in Palm Desert, CAAn abstract screen print by Post War artist Josef Albers. Signed lower right, "Albers '72". Editioned lower left, "LC 134/144".Category
1970s Post-War Abstract Prints
MaterialsScreen
- Formulation: Articulation (Diptych)By Josef AlbersLocated in Palm Desert, CAAn abstract screen print diptych by Post War artist Josef Albers. This work is two prints framed together.Category
1970s Post-War Abstract Prints
MaterialsScreen
- Formulation: Articulation 1981.524.1.1By Josef AlbersLocated in Palm Desert, CAA print by Josef Albers. "Formulation: Articulation 1981.524.1.1" is a screen print, executed in shades of blue and depicting abstracted, folded papers, by Post War artist Josef Albe...Category
1970s Post-War Abstract Prints
MaterialsScreen
- Untitled, from Formulation: ArticulationBy Josef AlbersLocated in Palm Desert, CAA print by Josef Albers. "Formulation: Articulation" is a geometric abstract screen print in a black and white palette by Post War artist Josef Albers. The artwork is numbered 1981.5...Category
Mid-20th Century Post-War Abstract Prints
MaterialsScreen
- Untitled from Formulation: ArticulationBy Josef AlbersLocated in Palm Desert, CAA print by Josef Albers. "Formulation: Articulation" is a geometric abstract screenprint in a white and dark brown palette by Post War artist Josef Albers. The artwork is from an edi...Category
Mid-20th Century Post-War Abstract Prints
MaterialsScreen
- Untitled (SF-128C)By Sam FrancisLocated in San Francisco, CAOriginal lithograph printed in colors on BFK Rives wove paper. Hand-signed in pencil Sam Francis. A superb impression of the only state, from the edition of 16, numbered in pencil ...Category
1970s Post-War Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
Price Upon Request - Another FootprintBy Sam FrancisLocated in San Francisco, CAOriginal lithograph printed in colors from four aluminum plates on BFK Rives wove paper. Hand-signed in pencil, Sam Francis. A superb trial proof impression, one of only five such...Category
1970s Post-War Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
Price Upon Request - Concert Hall Set IIIBy Sam FrancisLocated in San Francisco, CAOriginal lithograph printed in 6 colors (yellow, yellow-green, light blue, magenta, turquoise, dark blue) from 6 aluminum plates on BFK Rive wove paper Hand-signed in pencil lower r...Category
1970s Post-War Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
Price Upon Request - Untitled (SF-343)By Sam FrancisLocated in San Francisco, CAOriginal lithograph printed in 6 colors (light yellow, golden yellow, yellow-green, light ultramarine blue, purple, red on PTI #120 Waterleaf wove paper Hand-signed in pencil lower ...Category
1990s Post-War Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
Price Upon Request - Untitled (from Club/Spade Group ’81-82)By Richard DiebenkornLocated in San Francisco, CAOriginal lithograph printed in 6 colors on Arches Cover wove paper Hand-signed with the artist’s monogram and dated in pencil at the lower right sheet tip RD82. A superb impression of the definitive state, from the edition of 250, numbered in pencil at the lower left sheet tip. One of 8 plates by various artists from the portfolio Eight by Eight to Celebrate the Temporary Contemporary, published by The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; printed by Krystine Graziano, Kenneth Farley, Alan Holoubek, James Reid...Category
1980s Post-War Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
Price Upon Request - Galloping Race, from: Fables - French Urban Street Art Pop ArtBy Jean DubuffetLocated in London, GBJEAN DUBUFFET 1901-1985 (Philippe-Arthur) 1901 Le Havre - Paris 1985 (French) Title: Galloping Race, from: Fables Course la galope: Fables, 1976 Technique: Original Hand Signed, D...Category
1970s Post-War Abstract Prints
MaterialsScreen
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.