Balloons
View Similar Items
Alexander CalderBalloons1971
1971
About the Item
- Creator:Alexander Calder (1898 - 1976, American)
- Creation Year:1971
- Dimensions:Height: 17.25 in (43.82 cm)Width: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- More Editions & Sizes:Edition of 125 + EA
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5541800773
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.
- DOB in Pure White Robe (Navy and Vermilion)By Takashi MurakamiLocated in New York, NYCreated as a color lithograph by Takashi Murakami in 2013, DOB in Pure White Robe (Navy and Vermilion) is hand-signed by the artist in marker, and numbered, measuring 19 ¾ x 19 ¾ inc...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Prints
MaterialsLithograph
Price Upon Request - The Gates (m), from the Project for Central ParkBy Christo and Jeanne-ClaudeLocated in New York, NYThis offset lithograph in colors from the Project for Central Park, New York City, was created in 2003. One of 300 prints hand-signed by the artist in pencil, from the unnumbered edi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Prints and Multiples
MaterialsLithograph
- The Gates (b)By Christo and Jeanne-ClaudeLocated in New York, NYThis offset lithograph in colors on wove paper from the Project for Central Park, New York City, was created in 2003. One of 300 prints hand-signed by the artist in pencil, from the ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Prints and Multiples
MaterialsLithograph
- La Danse des Faunes, Pablo PicassoBy Pablo PicassoLocated in New York, NYAn original lithograph on Arches wove paper created by Picasso in 1957, La Danse des Faunes contains the artist’s stamped signature and measures 19 x 25 3/8 in. (48.3 x 64.5 cm), unf...Category
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Prints and Multiples
MaterialsLithograph
Price Upon Request - International Volunteer DayBy Keith HaringLocated in New York, NYA fun and familiar image created by Keith Haring as an original lithograph in colors in 1988, International Volunteer Day was commissioned by the United Nations on its 40th anniversa...Category
20th Century Contemporary Figurative Prints
MaterialsLithograph
Price Upon Request - And Then...WhiteBy Takashi MurakamiLocated in New York, NYThis offset lithograph in colors with cold-stamping was created in 2013. From the hand-signed and numbered edition of 300 measuring 19 3/4 x 19 3/4 in. (50 x 50 cm.), unframed. Avail...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Prints
MaterialsLithograph
Price Upon Request
- The Lighthouse - Mandela, Former South African President, Signed, Robben IslandBy Nelson MandelaLocated in Knowle Lane, CranleighNelson Mandela, The Lighthouse, Signed Limited Edition Lithograph Many people are unaware that Nelson Mandela turned his hand to art in his 80's as a way of leaving a legacy for his family. He spent time with an art tutor and learnt to draw. In 2002, when creating the The Lighthouse print...Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Landscape Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- EARTH - Mandela, Former South African President, Signed Art, Symbol, CrescentBy Nelson MandelaLocated in Knowle Lane, CranleighNelson Mandela, Earth, Signed Limited Edition Lithograph Many people are unaware that Nelson Mandela turned his hand to art in his 80's as a way of leaving a legacy for his family. H...Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- The Cell - Mandela, Former South African President, Signed Art, Robben IslandBy Nelson MandelaLocated in Knowle Lane, CranleighNelson Mandela, The Cell, Signed Limited Edition Lithograph Many people are unaware that Nelson Mandela turned his hand to art in his 80's as a way of leaving a legacy for his family. He spent time with an art tutor and learnt to draw. In 2002, when creating the The Cell print, he told Anna and Laura from Belgravia Gallery of his desire to become a full time artist when he retired. This sketch depicts the view into Nelson Mandela’s prison cell through the open cell door...Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Interior Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- The Tennis Court - Mandela, South African President, Signed, Robben Island, sportBy Nelson MandelaLocated in Knowle Lane, CranleighNelson Mandela, The Tennis Court, Signed Limited Edition Lithograph Many people are unaware that Nelson Mandela turned his hand to art in his 80's as a way of leaving a legacy for hi...Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Landscape Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- The Harbour - Mandela, Former South African President, Signed Art, Robben IslandBy Nelson MandelaLocated in Knowle Lane, CranleighNelson Mandela, The Harbour, Signed Limited Edition Lithograph Many people are unaware that Nelson Mandela turned his hand to art in his 80's as a way of leaving a legacy for his fam...Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Landscape Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- The Ward - Mandela, Former South African President, Signed Art, Robben IslandBy Nelson MandelaLocated in Knowle Lane, CranleighNelson Mandela, The Ward, Signed Limited Edition Lithograph Many people are unaware that Nelson Mandela turned his hand to art in his 80's as a way of leaving a legacy for his family...Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Interior Prints
MaterialsLithograph
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.