Alexander CalderWoman with Square Umbrella1928
1928
About the Item
- Creator:Alexander Calder (1898 - 1976, American)
- Creation Year:1928
- Dimensions:Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Palm Desert, CA
- Reference Number:
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: Palm Desert, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- UntitledBy Manuel NeriLocated in Palm Desert, CAA sculpture by Manuel Neri. "Untitled" is a Bay Area Figurative sculpture, painted bronze in a palette of browns, whites, and pinks by Post-War artist Manuel Neri. The artwork is sig...Category
Late 20th Century Post-War Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- CoversationBy Ron ReihelLocated in Palm Desert, CAA sculpture by Ron Reihel. "Conversation" is an abstract, plaster, wood and canvas sculpture, executed in black by contemporary artist Ron Reihel. "Conversation" depicts a group of t...Category
1990s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPlaster, Wood, Canvas
- Untitled (Horse)By Deborah ButterfieldLocated in Palm Desert, CAA wall sculpture by Deborah Butterfield. This Untitled (Horse) wall sculpture is constructed from sticks and paper on wire armature by contemporary artist Deborah Butterfield. This D...Category
1980s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsWire
- Mujer con GuitarraBy CASTANEDA, FELIPELocated in Palm Desert, CAA sculpture by Felipe Castaneda. Mujer con Guitarra"" is a figurative sculpture, white and gray marble by Mexican contemporary artist Felipe Castaneda. The artwork is unsigned. Felip...Category
Late 20th Century Contemporary Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsMarble
- Procession, China, Ming DynastyLocated in Palm Desert, CAA set of figurative sculptures, ceramic in greens and browns by an unknown Chinese artist. The piece is from the Ming Dynasty and is unsigned.Category
15th Century and Earlier Ming Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic
- Mujer DesnudaBy CASTANEDA, FELIPELocated in Palm Desert, CAA sculpture by Felipe Castaneda. ""Mujer Desnuda"" is a figurative sculpture, white and gray marble by Mexican contemporary artist Felipe Castaneda. The ar...Category
Late 20th Century Contemporary Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsMarble
- Arman Cintra Violin Tribute to Yves Klein IKB Blue on Wood ViolinBy ArmanLocated in Paris, FRArman 1996 Cut of violin, wood, and blue pigment in a Plexiglas box Edition of 90 from I/XC to XC/XC + 9 AP from EA I/IX to EA IX/IX Signed and numbered in the Plexiglas Recorded at...Category
1990s Post-War Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPlexiglass, Wood
- Felipe Castañeda, Mujer con Flores, 1982, Black Marble, 20.4 x 12.5 x 13.7 in.By Felipe CastañedaLocated in Miami, FLFelipe Castañeda Mujer con Flores, 1982 Black Marble 52 x 32 x 35 cm 20.4 x 12.5 x 13.7 in. Felipe Castañeda (Mexican, b.1933) began his artistic ca...Category
1890s Post-War Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsMarble
- Poisson, Georges Braque, Fish, Sculpture, Bronze, 1940's, Postwar, ValsuaniBy Georges BraqueLocated in Geneva, CHPoisson, Georges Braque, Fish, Sculpture, Bronze, 1940's, Postwar, Valsuani Ed. 6/6 pcs Signed and numbered underneath : 6/6, cire perdue, C.Valsuani fondeur. Certificate of authent...Category
1940s Post-War Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- Oiseau à la Huppe, Picasso, ashtray, design, ceramic, animals, art, postwarBy Pablo PicassoLocated in Geneva, CHOiseau à la Huppe, Picasso, ashtray, design, ceramic, animals, art, postwar Oiseau à la huppe Ed. 500 pcs 1952 White earthenware clay, oxidized paraffin decoration, white enamel, bl...Category
1950s Post-War Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic, Earthenware
- Young Wood Owl, Pablo Picasso, 1950's, Multiples, Design, Postwar, PitcherBy Pablo PicassoLocated in Geneva, CHYoung Wood Owl, Pablo Picasso, 1950's, Multiples, Design, Postwar, Pitcher Young wood-owl Ed. 500 pcs 1952 White earthenware clay, partly polychromed and glazed 26.5 x 9.5 cm Stampe...Category
1950s Post-War Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic, Earthenware
- Cavalier et cheval, Picasso, 1950's, Pitcher, Ceramic, Design, Earthenware, ClayBy Pablo PicassoLocated in Geneva, CHCavalier et cheval, Picasso, 1950's, Pitcher, Ceramic, Design, Earthenware, Clay Cavalier et cheval Ed 231/300 pcs 1952 White earthenware clay, dec...Category
1950s Post-War Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic, Clay, Earthenware
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.