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Alexander Calder Art

American, 1898-1976

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.

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Artist: Alexander Calder
Red Pyramid
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Lithograph in colors on wove paper, full sheet Published and Printed by Bank Street Atelier, New York Signed and numbered in pencil from an edition of 110 copies 22.75 x 30.9 inch...
Category

1970s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder Skyswirl
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Alexander Calder Skyswirl Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Skyswirl Portfolio: Flying Colors Medium: Original lithograph Year: 1974 Edition: Unnumbered Signed: In the stone Frame Size...
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1970s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Derrière Le Miroir No. 156 (front cover) /// Modern Abstract Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976) Title: "Untitled (front cover)" Portfolio: Derrière le Miroir (No. 156) *Issued unsigned, though signed by Calder in the plate (printed signature) lower right Year: 1966 Medium: Original Lithograph on smooth wove paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: Arte Adrien Maeght, Paris, France Publisher: Galerie Maeght, Paris, France Sheet size: 14.75" x 11" Condition: In excellent condition Notes: Lithograph produced for the 1966 No. 156 "Derrière le Miroir" portfolio in conjunction with a special exhibition of Calder's work at Galerie Maeght, Paris, France in February of 1966 which featured 13 totems and 27 gouaches. The complete folio included a poem by Jacques Prévert and texts by Professor Meyer Schapiro, Alexander Calder, and Nicholas Guppy. Small spiral lithograph and text on verso as issued. In October 1945, the French art dealer Aimé Maeght opens his art gallery at 13 Rue de Téhéran in Paris. His beginning coincides with the end of Second World War and the return of a number of exiled artists back to France. The magazine Derriere Le Miroir was created in October 1946 and published without interruption until 1982. Maeght's ambition in establishing his print shop and his publication magazine Derriere Le Miroir was to make available to a broader audience less expensive printed imagery by the artists of his time, many whom were represented by his Paris gallery...
Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Pennants
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Pennants, 1965 Signed and numbered in pencil Color lithograph 23 x 31 inches Edition 55 of 110
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1960s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled
By Alexander Calder
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Untitled Color lithograph, 1963 Unsigned (as issued) From:Derriere le Miroir, Volume 141 Large unsigned edition Printed by Mourlot, Paris Published by Aime Maeght, Paris Condition: C...
Category

1960s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

PYRAMIDS AND SUN
By Alexander Calder
Located in Three Oaks, MI
Color lithograph, 1973. 750x1090 mm; 29 1/2x43 inches, full margins. Signed, dated and numbered 75/150 in pencil, lower margin. An excellent impression.
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Plate 5, from Derriere Le Miroir #141 (Stabiles)
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Medium: Original lithograph Title: Plate 5 Derriere le Miroir #141 Portfolio: Derriere Le Miroir #141 (Stabiles) Year: 1963 Edition: Unnumbered Signed: No Fr...
Category

1960s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder derrière le miroir lithograph (Calder prints)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Alexander Calder Lithograph c. 1964 from Derrière le miroir: Lithograph in colors; 15 x 11 inches. Very good overall vintage condition; well-preserved. Unsigned from an edition of unknown. From: Derrière le miroir. Printed in France. Derrière le miroir: In October 1945 the French art dealer Aimé Maeght opens his art gallery at 13 Rue de Téhéran in Paris. His beginning coincides with the end of Second World War and the return of a number of exiled artists back to France. The publication was created in October 1946 (n°1) and published without interruption until 1982 (n°253). Its original articles and illustrations (mainly original color lithographs by the gallery artists) who were famous at the time. The lithographic publication covered only the artists exhibited by Maeght gallery either through personal or group exhibitions. Among them were, Pierre Alechinsky, Francis Bacon, Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Eduardo Chillida, Alberto Giacometti, Vassily Kandinsky, Ellsworth Kelly, Fernand Léger, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Saul Steinberg and Antoni Tapies. _ Alexander Calder was an American artist best known for his invention of the kinetic sculptures known as mobiles. Calder also produced a variety of two-dimensional artworks including lithographs, paintings, and tapestries as seen in his Butterfly (1970). “My whole theory about art is the disparity that exists between form, masses, and movement,” the artist once said. Born on August 22, 1898 in Lawnton, PA, Calder turned to art in the 1920s, studying drawing and painting under George Luks and Boardman Robinson at the Art Students League in New York. Calder moved to Paris to continue his studies in 1926, where he was introduced to the European avant-garde through performances of his Cirque Calder (1926–1931). “I was very fond of the spatial relations,” he said of his interest in the circus. “The whole thing of the—the vast space—I’ve always loved it.” With these performances, along with his wire sculptures, Calder attracted the attention of such notable figures as Marcel Duchamp, Jean Arp, and Fernand Léger. Notably, it was his friend Duchamp that coined the term mobile—a pun in French meaning both “motion” and “motive”—during a visit to Calder’s Paris studio in 1931. His earliest mobiles moved by motors, but Calder soon abandoned these mechanics and designed pieces that moved by air currents or human interaction. Over the course of seven decades, along with his mobiles, he also produced paintings, monumental outdoor sculptures, works on paper, domestic objects, and jewelry. The artist lived in both Roxbury, CT, and Saché, France, before his death on November 11, 1976 in New York, NY. Today, his works are held in the collections of The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Tate Gallery in London. Related Categories Calder prints. Mid Century Modern. 1970s. Miro. Chagall. Calder lithograph. Figurative art. Alexander Calder Derrière...
Category

1960s Contemporary Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

1970s Alexander Calder lithograph (Calder prints)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Alexander Calder Lithograph c. 1973: Lithograph in colors; 15 x 11 inches. Very good overall vintage condition; well-preseved. Unsigned from an edition of unknown. From: Derrière ...
Category

1970s Contemporary Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Derriere le Miroir #221
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Derriere le Miroir #221 Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #221 Medium: Lithograph in colors Date: 1975 Edition: Unnumbered Sheet Size: 15" x 22" Image Siz...
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder Lithographic cover Derrière le miroir 1973
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Alexander Calder Lithographic cover: Derrière le miroir 1973: Lithographic cover sheet; 15 x 11 inches. Very good overall vintage condition. Unsigned from an edition of unknown. Por...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Derriere le Miroir #141
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Derriere le Miroir #141 Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #141 Medium: Original lithograph Date: 1963 Edition: Unnumbered Frame S...
Category

1960s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Fêtes
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Complete set of 7 color aquatints on Arches. The deluxe edition of 25 signed by Calder and numbered, aside from the unsigned edition of 150. Each but one of the aquatints signed and ...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Color, Aquatint

Derriere le Miroir #221
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Derriere le Miroir #221 Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #221 Medium: Lithograph in colors Date: 1975 Edition: Unnumbered Sheet Size: 15" x 22" Image Siz...
Category

1970s Post-Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Cover Derriere le Miroir #201
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Medium: Lithograph Title: Cover Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #201 Year: 1973 Edition: Unnumbered Framed Size: 21 3/4" x 17 3/4" Sheet Size: 15" x 11" Signe...
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Cover, from Derriere le Miroir #156
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Cover (Derriere le Miroir #156) Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #156 Medium: Lithograph Date: 1966 Frame Size: 21 1/4" x 17 1/4" Sheet Size: 15" x 11" I...
Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

1970's Alexander Calder lithographic cover (Derrière le miroir)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Alexander Calder Lithographic cover from Derrière le miroir: Lithographic cover; 1976. 11 x 15 inches (folding open to 15x22 inches). Scattered surface and age related wear; in otherwise good overall vintage condition. Unsigned from an edition of unknown. Published by: Galerie Maeght, Paris, c. 1976. Unsigned from an edition of unknown. Looks fantastic framed. Derrière le miroir: In October 1945 the French art dealer Aimé Maeght opens his art gallery at 13 Rue de Téhéran in Paris. His beginning coincides with the end of Second World War and the return of a number of exiled artists back to France. The publication was created in October 1946 (n°1) and published without interruption until 1982 (n°253). Its original articles and illustrations (mainly original color lithographs by the gallery artists) who were famous at the time. The lithographic publication covered only the artists exhibited by Maeght gallery either through personal or group exhibitions. Among them were, Pierre Alechinsky, Francis Bacon, Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Eduardo Chillida, Alberto Giacometti, Vassily Kandinsky, Ellsworth Kelly, Fernand Léger, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Saul Steinberg and Antoni Tapies. Related Categories: Mid century modern. Alexander Calder prints. Calder orange. Calder red...
Category

1970s Contemporary Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror
By Alexander Calder
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror 2 Original lithographs on the same paper (recto/verso, on both paper sides) produced in 1976 Conditions: Good Conditions D...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Derriere le Miroir: Stabiles
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Portfolio with complete text is one of 150 deluxe numbered copies. It consists of 7 boldly colored lithographs and color lithograph cover. The sheets are loose as issued. Signed in p...
Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Color, Lithograph

Bestie - Alexander Calder Mint Condition from Flying Colors Collection
By Alexander Calder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Beastie Year: 1974 Dimensions: 20in. by 26in. Edition: From the rare limited edition Suite: The Flying Colors Collection Medium: Original lithograph o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Post-Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Bonnet Phrygien et Barre de Fer
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Bonnet Phrygien et Barre de Fer (Phrygian Cap and Iron Bar), 1974 Lithograph in colors on Chiffon de Mandeure paper, with full margins, framed Maeght Editeur, Paris 29.5 x 43.3 inche...
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1970s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Friendship - Alexander Calder from the Flying Colors Collection Signed in Plate
By Alexander Calder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Alexander Clader Friendship 1974 Signed in the plate lower right
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Post-Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Vintage 1970s Alexander Calder lithograph (Calder three legged man)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Vintage original 1970s Alexander Calder Lithograph: 11x15 inches. Very good overall vintage condition. Unsigned from an edition of unknown. Published by: Galerie Maeght, Paris, 19...
Category

1970s Pop Art Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror
By Alexander Calder
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror 1 Original lithograph created in 1976 Framed Dimensions: 38 x 56 cm Source: Derrière le m...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder Lithographic cover 1966 (Calder Derrière le miroir)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Alexander Calder Lithographic cover from Derrière le miroir c. 1966: Lithographic cover sheet; 15 x 11 inches (folding out to 15 x 22inches; see image 2). Very good overall vintage ...
Category

1960s Contemporary Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - from "Derrière le miroir"
By Alexander Calder
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - from "Derriere le Miroir"Behind the Mirror 1976 Condition: Good Condition Dimensions: 38 x 56 cm Source: Derrière le miroir (DLM), n°141, 1...
Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror
By Alexander Calder
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror 1 Original lithograph created in 1976 Dimensions: 38 x 28 cm Source: Derrière le miroir (DLM), n°221, 1976 Alexander Cald...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Sketch for 'The X & Its Tails'. 1967
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palo Alto, CA
This work is registered as an authentic work by Alexander Calder (1898 – 1976) in the archives of the Calder Foundation (NY), under application number A.24492.  Created in 1967, this original pen and red ink drawing on paper is initialed ‘CA’ in blue ink in the lower right by Alexander Calder (1898 – 1976) with a handwritten dedication, also in blue ink, ‘To Alvin Lane’ along the lower center. The Sketch for ‘The X & Its Tails’ is an original study and preliminary drawing made by Calder preceding his large-scale sculpture for the Detroit Institute of Arts.  Sketches for models and sculptures are rare and this is no exception; according to Alvin S. Lane, collector and friend to Calder, “To the best of my knowledge there were very few, if any, preliminary drawings done by Calder that were on the market, but he was good enough when he did two for commissions to send the drawings to me as a present [including this Sketch for ‘The X & Its Tails’].  I included one of them here to show that although his drawings usually have a flowing steady line, his preliminary drawings are sloppy scribbles” (23). Provenance: ~       Gift of artist ~       Private Collection (Riverdale, NJ) Catalogue Raisonné and COA: Sketch for 'The X & Its Tails,' 1967 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the final sale of the work). 1. Registered with the Calder Foundation, NY under application number A.24492. 2. Elvehjem Museum of Art. The Terese and Alvin S. Lane Collection...
Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Ink, Pen

Woman with Square Umbrella
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A sculpture in wood depicting a woman holding an umbrella. "Woman with Square Umbrella" by Post War artist Alexander Calder is signed underneath, "Calder." "Woman with a Square Umbre...
Category

1920s Post-War Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Wood

Alexander Calder - Lithograph - Behind the Mirror
By Alexander Calder
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Alexander Calder - Lithograph - Behind the Mirror 1 lithograph created in 1976 Source: Derrière le miroir (DLM), n°221, 1976 Dimensions: 38 x 28 cm ...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror
By Alexander Calder
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror 1 Original lithograph created in 1976 Framed Dimensions: 38 x 28 cm Source: Derrière le miroir (DLM), n°221, 1976 Alexand...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror
By Alexander Calder
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror 1 Original lithograph created in 1976 Framed Dimensions: 38 x 28 cm Source: Derrière le m...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror
By Alexander Calder
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror 1 Original lithograph created in 1976 Framed Dimensions: 38 x 28 cm Source: Derrière le miroir (DLM), n°221, 1976 Alexand...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder -- Stabiles
By Alexander Calder
Located in BRUCE, ACT
Alexander Calder 'Stabiles,' 1963. Signed in pencil lower right. Lithograph in Colours H.C. Published by Maeght, Paris Image: 70 x 51 cm Frame: 94.5 x 75 x 5 cm
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1960s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

The Black Line
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Alexander Calder (1898-1976, American ) The Black Line 1967 Lithograph 22 1/2 x 30 1/8 in. Edition of 60 Pencil signed and numbered Alexander Calder (July 22, 1898 – November 11, 19...
Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

UNTITLED (GIRAFFE)
By Alexander Calder
Located in Aventura, FL
Original crayon and pencil drawing on cut-out paper mounted on board. Hand signed with artist's initials CA. Executed in 1966, this work is registered in the archives of the Calder...
Category

1960s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Paper, Crayon, Pencil

Le Noble Chevalier, 1960
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976) “Le Noble Chevalier, 1960” Lithograph in Colors on Velin de Rives paper Sheet Size: 11” x 16” (27.94 x 40.64 ...
Category

1960s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

La Récolte (Harvest)
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Aquatint (etching) on Rives BFK paper Maeght Editeur, Paris 24.75 x 35 inches Signed in pencil, "HC" apart from the edition of 90 Professionally framed...
Category

1960s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Etching

Underwater Sunset
By Alexander Calder
Located in Paris, FR
Alexander CALDER (1898-1976) Underwater Sunset Painted in 1964 Gouache on paper Signed and dated lower right This work is registered in the archives of the Calder Foundation, New Y...
Category

1960s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Untitled, 1947
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976) “Untitled, 1947” (from Le Surrealisme) Signed in the plate, lower left Lithograph in Colors on Wove Paper Sheet Size: 9 7/16 x 8" (24 x 20.3 cm...
Category

1940s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled ‘Liz Nelson’
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palo Alto, CA
Alexander Calder Untitled ‘Liz Nelson’, 1968 is a unique original pen and ink drawing on folio with a red banner that reads 'NOBILIS' is init...
Category

1940s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Ink, Pen

Target and Crag - Celestial Orbs
By Alexander Calder
Located in London, GB
This is a gouache and ink painting by Alexander Calder. It is signed and dated “Calder 72” at the lower right corner. It was painted in 1972. The paper bears the Les Papiers Canson L...
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Ink, Gouache

UNTITLED
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
This work of art is a lithograph on paper featuring abstract geometric shapes in primary colors.
Category

20th Century Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

The Triangles and Spiral
By Alexander Calder
Located in Missouri, MO
The Triangles and Spiral, 1973 By. Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976) Signed Lower Right Numbered: 66/150 Unframed: 26 x 19.25 inches Framed: 34 x 27 inches Alexander Calder was born in Philadelphia in 1898. After obtaining his mechanical engineering degree from the Stevens Institute of Technology, Calder worked at various jobs before enrolling at the Art Students League in New York City in 1923. During his student years, he did line drawing for the National Police Gazette. In 1925, Calder published his first book, Animal Sketches...
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Color, Lithograph

Dice, Gouache Painting by Alexander Calder 1974
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Dice Year: 1974 Medium: Gouache on Canson Lavis Paper, signed and dated lower right (titled, verso) Paper Size: 29 x 42 inches Frame: 37 x 51 inches ...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Gouache

Acier du Constructeur
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION Alexander Calder Acier du Constructeur, 1965 Lithograph 21 7/16 × 29 3/8 in 54.5 × 74.6 cm Edition of 75 Condition: This work is in excellent condition
Category

1960s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Seahorse
By Alexander Calder
Located in London, GB
ALEXANDER CALDER 1898-1976 Lawnton, Pennsylvania 1898 - 1976 New York (American) Title: Seahorse, 1962 Technique: Original Signed and Dated Gouache and Ink on BFK Rives Wove P...
Category

1960s Kinetic Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Gouache

Alexander Calder art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Alexander Calder art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of orange, red, yellow and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Alexander Calder in lithograph, paint, gouache and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Alexander Calder art, so small editions measuring 5 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Sam Francis, Teodora Guererra, and Robert Motherwell. Alexander Calder art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $150 and tops out at $2,850,000, while the average work can sell for $1,331.

Artists Similar to Alexander Calder

Questions About Alexander Calder Art
  • 1stDibs ExpertJune 6, 2024
    The exact number of works of art Calder made isn't known. Over the course of his life, the prolific artist produced at least 600 sculptures, including more than 20 monumental outdoor works. In addition, he made thousands of oil paintings, prints and drawings. Calder even crafted jewelry and toys. Shop a variety of Alexander Calder art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    There are several interpretations of how to describe the characteristics of Alexander Calder’s sculptures. Some say they are abstract, with life-like elements, others say they are flat, simplified shapes that intersect at opposing angles. See the magic for yourself — shop a selection of Alexander Calder pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Like all meaningful works of art, the mood that best describes American artist Alexander Calder’s sculptures is subject to interpretation. Common descriptors for his abstract work include “playful” or “whimsical.” Calder is best known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. Shop a selection of Alexander Calder pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The term ‘mobile’, which was coined by Marcel Duchamp, was used to describe Alexander Calder’s work, as Calder’s sculptures often moved with the help of motors or wind. ‘Mobiles’ was a French pun which meant ‘motion’. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original artwork from Alexander Calder.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
    Many art lovers believe that lithographs are worth investing in. Lithographs tend to be more painterly than other printing techniques, and many postwar and contemporary painters have collaborated with lithographic workshops to push their practices in new directions. Collectors of lithographs can add prints from a wide range of artists to their collections. Some artists known for working with the technique include Théodore Gericault, Eugène Delacroix, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Honoré Daumier, Henri Matisse, Alphonse Mucha and M.C. Escher.

    However, whether or not it’s worth investing in lithographs is totally subjective! At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection.

    Find lithographs and other art prints on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    American artist Alexander Calder is best known for his work in sculpture, particularly his monumental sculptures and innovative ‘mobiles’ in the tradition of kinetic art. Shop a collection of authentic Alexander Calder pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 3, 2024
    Alexander Calder invented the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. The revered American sculptor's 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. (He was a celebrated modernist printmaker, too, and while jewelry was a secondary métier for him, interest in his wearable art has accelerated in recent years.)

    For Calder, the fascinating moment of artistic alchemy comes sometime between his representational canvases of the late 1920s and 1931, the year of his first show of abstract sculpture. Moving to Paris helped spur his creativity, as it did for so many artists and writers. The moment Calder arrived, he began working on one of his most seminal pieces, Cirque Calder (1931), his delightful distillation of the circus into what are essentially three-dimensional line drawings made with wire. 

    Shop authentic Alexander Calder prints, sculptures and other art from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
    How much an Alexander Calder mobile is worth depends on its historical significance, size, condition and other factors. In 2012, his 1945 piece Lily of Force sold for $18.5 million at auction in New York City. The American sculptor is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. 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. If you're in possession of a Calder mobile, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable art dealer can help you determine how much it may be worth. On 1stDibs, explore a range of Alexander Calder art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
    Alexander Calder mostly made sculptures, although he also worked in printmaking, painting, performance and other media. He is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. Some of his most famous works include Cirque Calder, A Universe, Josephine Baker (III), Mobile (Arc of Petals), Devil Fish, Romulus and Remus and Fish. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Alexander Calder art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024
    Alexander Calder used many of the elements of art when producing his works. The American sculptor is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. These kinetic pieces use color, shape and space to convey a sense of unity, and the form of the art allows it to interact with its environment. Find a variety of Alexander Calder art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
    The art movement that Alexander Calder was connected to was kinetic art. The term refers to art that moves or has the appearance of movement. With their ability to sway and turn once suspended, Calder's mobiles are often referenced as examples of kinetic art. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Alexander Calder art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024
    Alexander Calder produced more than 22,000 works of art during his lifetime. The prolific artist made paintings, drawings, prints, tapestries, stage sets, jewelry and other types of art. Some of his most famous pieces include Cirque Calder, Josephine Baker (III), A Universe, Mobile (Arc of Petals) and Devil Fish. Shop a diverse assortment of Alexander Calder art on 1stDibs.

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