Question 1

What is a Calder mobile?

Accepted Answer

A “Calder mobile” refers to a moving artwork created by American sculptor Alexander Calder composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. Calder 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. Find a collection of original Alexander Calder art on 1stDibs.

Question 2

What is a tapestry?

Accepted Answer

A tapestry is a piece of hanging textile art that contains pictures or designs. A tapestry is created by weaving colored weft threads or by embroidering directly onto canvas.

Question 3

What is a mobile Alexander Calder?

Accepted Answer

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. On 1stDibs, find a variety of vintage Alexander Calder drawings and other sculptures.

Question 4

How did Calder become an artist?

Accepted Answer

The story of how Calder became an artist begins with his parents. Both artists themselves, they did not want him to suffer the hardships of trying to make a living in art, so they encouraged the young Alexander Calder to study mechanical engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. He subsequently 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 applied his engineering background to his artwork, such as his understanding of gears and moving parts for kinetic sculptures like Cirque Calder (1931) and free-standing abstract sculptures he called “stabiles.” Explore a selection of Alexander Calder art on 1stDibs.

Question 5

What was Alexander Calder famous for?

Accepted Answer

Alexander Calder was famous for his work as an artist. The American sculptor is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. He also created large-scale sculptures that frequently involved kinetic elements. Some of his best-known works include Mobile (Arc of Petals), Cirque Calder, Josephine Baker (III), Fish and A Universe. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of Alexander Calder art.

Question 6

Where is Alexander Calder’s art?

Accepted Answer

Alexander Calder’s artwork has found its home in many museums and art galleries around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim Museum. Shop a selection of Alexander Calder’s pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 7

What did Alexander Calder invent?

Accepted Answer

The American sculptor Alexander Calder invented the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. His mobiles were an innovative feat and initially used motors for movement, which he later abandoned for air currents alone. Calder was also a pioneer of wire sculptures. Shop a selection of Alexander Calder pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 8

Was Alexander Calder a Surrealist?

Accepted Answer

Most artists consider Alexander Calder to be a Kinetic artist rather than a Surrealist. The American sculptor is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms usually suspended from the ceiling. Calder also pioneered a new art form with wire sculptures, which he described as “drawings in space.” Like his famous mobiles, the wire sculptures were suspended so that they turned with any air movement, presenting different forms when viewed from different angles. Explore a diverse assortment of Alexander Calder art on 1stDibs.

Question 9

Can you frame a tapestry?

Accepted Answer

You can frame a tapestry using a tapestry frame, which works to keep the canvas taut and hang the item. There are many different types of tapestry frames, though a popular one has a top wooden clamp with a hanging mechanism and a bottom wooden clamp to weigh down the material.

Question 10

What is a tapestry used for?

Accepted Answer

Tapestries is a decorative piece of heavy fabric that's usually hand-woven. It can be used as wall art, to cover furniture, or as an area rug.

Question 11

Where did tapestry originate?

Accepted Answer

Historians are not completely sure where tapestries originated. Ancient literature from Rome, Greece and other civilizations does not specifically mention tapestries, but that doesn't mean that they didn't exist. We do know that the Ancient Egyptians did produce and utilize tapestries, as examples have been discovered in the tombs of Thutmose IV and Tutankhamen. The word tapestry wasn't coined until the 15th century, and it originated in England. Find a wide variety of tapestries on 1stDibs.

Question 12

How are tapestries made?

Accepted Answer

Tapestries are handwoven on a loom is such a way that only the weft (horizontal) threads are visible.

Question 13

What is Flemish tapestry?

Accepted Answer

A Flemish tapestry is a decorative woven wall hanging produced in Flanders, primarily during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. Peter Paul Rubens and Bernard van Orley are two of the most famous Flemish artists to work in the medium. You'll find a variety of Flemish tapestries on 1stDibs.

Question 14

What do tapestries symbolize?

Accepted Answer

What tapestries symbolize is largely a matter of individual interpretation. Because early examples graced the walls of palaces and grand estates, many people associate them with wealth, royalty, power and prestige. Individual tapestries may symbolize different themes based on the images and symbols that they display. For example, art historians believe the medieval Lady and the Unicorn tapestries represent the five human senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of tapestries.

Question 15

What is embroidered tapestry?

Accepted Answer

Tapestries are thick, textile art that’s often hung from the wall as a method of displaying it. Embroidery is a type of needlework that uses counted threads and stitches to create patterns or images. An embroidered tapestry is a fabric wall hanging that features the art of embroidery for visual impact. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original artwork from top artists.

Question 16

Where can I buy tapestries?

Accepted Answer

You can buy tapestries on 1stDibs.com. 1stDibs has a variety of different tapestries in different colors, patterns, and prices.

Question 17

What are tapestries made of?

Accepted Answer

Tapestries are made out of a wide range of materials. Wool is arguably the most commonly used to produce the threads for weaving tapestries. In some cases, silk or metallic threads will be mixed in with wool for added luster. Some weavers opt for other materials, such as cellulose and cotton. Find a selection of tapestries on 1stDibs.

Question 18

What was Alexander Calder best known for?

Accepted Answer

Alexander Calder is best known for his sculptures. He produced large, playful freestanding and hanging works in vibrant colors. Examples include Mobile-Stabile, Lobster Trap and Fish Tail and Flying Dragon. On 1stDibs, you can shop a selection of Alexander Calder art.

Question 19

What is so revolutionary about Alexander Calder's mobiles?

Accepted Answer

Alexander Calder's mobiles were revolutionary because he largely pioneered the art form of creating hanging sculptures that were able to move freely in response to airflow. Calder was a prolific artist believed to have produced more than 22,000 works during his life. Shop a variety of Alexander Calder art on 1stDibs.

Question 20

What materials did Calder use for his mobiles?

Accepted Answer

Artist Alexander Calder used primarily industrial materials to create his mobile, such as steel, aluminum and wire. With a background in mechanical engineering, Alexander Calader uses his education to build mobiles with seemingly impossible silhouettes that make for eye-catching decor pieces. Shop a selection of Alexander Calder work on 1stDibs.

After Calder Tapestry

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Tapestries

Tapestry in Woven Wool in Aubusson by Pinton Freres and Alexander Calder

20th Century Guatemalan Modern Tapestries

After Alexander Calder "Zebra" Tapestry, 1975

Vintage 1970s Guatemalan Tapestries

"Swirl" Tapestry After Alexander Calder

Vintage 1970s American Tapestries

After Alexander Calder 'Circus' Jute Tapestry, 1975 Guatemala

Vintage 1970s American Tapestries

After Alexander Calder Jute 'Sun' Tapestry, 1974 Guatemala

Vintage 1970s American Tapestries

After Alexander Calder Untitled Jute Tapestry, 1975 Guatemala

Vintage 1970s American Tapestries

After Alexander Calder 'Turqouise' Jute Tapestry, 1975 Guatemala

Vintage 1970s American Tapestries

Tapestry, "La Tâche Bleue" After Alexander Calder

Vintage 1970s Guatemalan Tapestries

After Alexander Calder, Tapestry "Moon" 1974

Vintage 1970s American Tapestries

Alexander Calder Jute Tapestry, 1975 Guatemala

Vintage 1970s American Tapestries

Alexander Calder Jute Tapestry, 1975 Guatemala

Vintage 1970s Nicaraguan Tapestries

After Alexander Calder Tapestry

Vintage 1970s American Modern Tapestries

Alexander Calder 'Figure of a Woman' Jute Tapestry, 1975 Guatemala.

Vintage 1970s Nicaraguan Mid-Century Modern Tapestries

"Swirl" Tapestry after Alexander Calder

Vintage 1970s Guatemalan Tapestries

After Alexander Calder, Tapestry "Moon, " 1974

Vintage 1970s Guatemalan Tapestries

After Alexander Calder Tapestry, "Balloons" 1974

Vintage 1970s Guatemalan Tapestries

After Alexander Calder tapestry "Circus" framed, dated.

Vintage 1970s Guatemalan Tapestries

After Alexander Calder tapestry "Turquoise" abstract in Maguey

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Tapestries

Vintage Fiber Tapestry

1970s Contemporary More Prints

Alexander CalderSwirl Tapestry (After Alexander Calder), 1975

Mid-20th Century American Posters

1972 Alexander Calder Vintage "Aubusson Tapestries" Modern Exhibition Poster

20th Century American Tapestries

Circus tapestry by After Alexander Calder

Mid-20th Century Central American Mid-Century Modern Tapestries

After Alexander Calder Maguey Fiber Mat Wall Hanging, circa 1975

After Calder Tapestry For Sale on 1stDibs

How Much is a After Calder Tapestry?

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Alexander Calder
Swirl Tapestry (After Alexander Calder), 1975