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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
Alexander Calder Lithographic cover 1966 (Calder Derrière le miroir)
Alexander Calder Lithographic cover 1966 (Calder Derrière le miroir)

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; 15 x 11 inches (folding out to 15 x 22inches; see image 2). Very good overall vintage condit...

Category

1960s Pop Art Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder Lithographic cover 1966 (Calder Derrière le miroir)
Alexander Calder Lithographic cover 1966 (Calder Derrière le miroir)

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

Porfolio Calder retrospektive (Maeght Zurich).
Porfolio Calder retrospektive (Maeght Zurich).

Porfolio Calder retrospektive (Maeght Zurich).

By Alexander Calder

Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Calder retrospektive (Maeght Zurich) Portfolio non paginé 26 pages c.giedion welcker (auteur) Maeght (éditeur) 1973 Contient 4 lithographies couleur don...

Category

1970s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Paper

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - from "Derrière le miroir"
Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - from "Derrière le miroir"

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

L'Etoile Rouge (The Red Star)
L'Etoile Rouge (The Red Star)

L'Etoile Rouge (The Red Star)

By Alexander Calder

Located in Miami, FL

Lithograph in colors on Arches paper Published by George J. Goodstadt, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (with their blindstamp) 29.5 x 41.3 inches Signed and numbered in pencil, editio...

Category

1970s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder -- One Plate from The Sacrilege of Alan Kent
Alexander Calder -- One Plate from The Sacrilege of Alan Kent

Alexander Calder -- One Plate from The Sacrilege of Alan Kent

By Alexander Calder

Located in BRUCE, ACT

Alexander Calder One Plate from The Sacrilege of Alan Kent, 1976 Aquatint Hand signed lower right Numbered 34/60 Sheet size 41.5 x 45 cm Publisher: Maeght, Paris Suite: Le Sacrilege...

Category

1970s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Aquatint

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror
Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror

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

Fond Rouge
Fond Rouge

Alexander CalderFond Rouge, 1969

$12,800Sale Price|20% Off

Fond Rouge

By Alexander Calder

Located in Miami, FL

Lithograph in colors Published by Maeght Éditeur, Paris Printed by Arte Adrien Maeght, Paris 22 x 29.5 inches Edition of 75 on Rives, signed and numbered - This one being a proof...

Category

1960s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Galactic System

Galactic System

By Alexander Calder

Located in New York, NY

Galactic System, 1974 Signed and numbered Color lithograph on Arches paper, full sheet 20.375 x 28.25 inches Edition 75 of 100

Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Pennants

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

Category

1960s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror
Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror

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

Untitled, 1947

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

La Récolte (Harvest)
La Récolte (Harvest)

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

Sketch for 'The X & Its Tails'. 1967
Sketch for 'The X & Its Tails'. 1967

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

Une famille de là-bas

Une famille de là-bas

By Alexander Calder

Located in London, GB

Alexander Calder Une famille de là-bas, 1970 Signed in pencil and numbered on front of sheet Lithograph in colors, on wove Maeght watermarked paper 53 x 76.2 cm 20.9 x 30 inches Ale...

Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from L'Atelier Mourlot, 1965
Alexander Calder, Untitled, from L'Atelier Mourlot, 1965

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from L'Atelier Mourlot, 1965

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the album Les Lithographies de L'Atelier Mourlot, Paris (The Lithographs of the Mourlot ...

Category

1960s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966
Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the album Lithographies et eaux-fortes originales, livres illustres originaux, affiches,...

Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Calder autobiographie, 1972
Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Calder autobiographie, 1972

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Calder autobiographie, 1972

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), originates from the 1972 album Calder autobiographie. Published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, and...

Category

1970s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966
Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 156, originates from the 1966 edition published by Mae...

Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966
Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 156, originates from the 1966 edition published by Mae...

Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Calder autobiographie, 1972
Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Calder autobiographie, 1972

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Calder autobiographie, 1972

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), originates from the 1972 album Calder autobiographie. Published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, and...

Category

1970s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Calder autobiographie, 1972
Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Calder autobiographie, 1972

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Calder autobiographie, 1972

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), originates from the 1972 album Calder autobiographie. Published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, and...

Category

1970s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966
Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 156, originates from the 1966 edition published by Mae...

Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Prints from the Mourlot Press, 1964
Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Prints from the Mourlot Press, 1964

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Prints from the Mourlot Press, 1964

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the album Prints from the Mourlot Press, exhibition sponsored by the French Embassy, cir...

Category

1960s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Rings on Black, from Derriere le Miroir, 1973
Alexander Calder, Rings on Black, from Derriere le Miroir, 1973

Alexander Calder, Rings on Black, from Derriere le Miroir, 1973

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Anneaux sur noir (Rings on Black), originates from the historic 1973 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 201. Published by...

Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Card Players III, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975
Alexander Calder, Card Players III, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

Alexander Calder, Card Players III, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Joueurs de cartes III (Card Players III), originates from the historic 1975 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 212. Publi...

Category

1970s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, The Madwomen of Sache, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975
Alexander Calder, The Madwomen of Sache, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

Alexander Calder, The Madwomen of Sache, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Les folles de Sache (The Madwomen of Sache), originates from the historic 1975 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 212. Pu...

Category

1970s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, A Patriot and Mama Citron, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975
Alexander Calder, A Patriot and Mama Citron, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

Alexander Calder, A Patriot and Mama Citron, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Un patriote et Mama Citron (A Patriot and Mama Citron), originates from the historic 1975 folio Derriere le Miroir, ...

Category

1970s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Card Players I and II, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975
Alexander Calder, Card Players I and II, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

Alexander Calder, Card Players I and II, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Joueurs de cartes I et II (Card Players I and II), originates from the historic 1975 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 2...

Category

1970s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, A Family from Over There II, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975
Alexander Calder, A Family from Over There II, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

Alexander Calder, A Family from Over There II, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Une famille de là-bas II (A Family from Over There II), originates from the historic 1975 folio Derriere le Miroir, ...

Category

1970s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Card Players II, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975
Alexander Calder, Card Players II, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

Alexander Calder, Card Players II, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Joueurs de cartes II (Card Players II), originates from the historic 1975 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 212. Publish...

Category

1970s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Card Players I, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975
Alexander Calder, Card Players I, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

Alexander Calder, Card Players I, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Joueurs de cartes I (Card Players I), originates from the historic 1975 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 212. Published...

Category

1970s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, A Patriot, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975
Alexander Calder, A Patriot, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

Alexander Calder, A Patriot, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Un Patriote (A Patriot), originates from the historic 1975 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 212. Published by Maeght Ed...

Category

1970s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Mama Citron, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975
Alexander Calder, Mama Citron, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

Alexander Calder, Mama Citron, from Derriere le Miroir, 1975

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Mama Citron, originates from the historic 1975 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 212. Published by Maeght Editeur, Paris...

Category

1970s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Red and Blue on Yellow, from Derriere le Miroir, 1973
Alexander Calder, Red and Blue on Yellow, from Derriere le Miroir, 1973

Alexander Calder, Red and Blue on Yellow, from Derriere le Miroir, 1973

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Rouge et bleu sur jaune (Red and Blue on Yellow), originates from the historic 1973 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 20...

Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, The Triangles, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963
Alexander Calder, The Triangles, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

Alexander Calder, The Triangles, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Les Triangles (The Triangles), originates from the historic 1963 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 141. Published by Mae...

Category

1960s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

(tariff free*) Sans titre, Derrière le miroir
(tariff free*) Sans titre, Derrière le miroir

(tariff free*) Sans titre, Derrière le miroir

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

Lithograph on vélin paper. Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Paper Size: 15 x 22 inches, with centerfold, as issued. Notes: From Derrière le miroir, N° 113, published ...

Category

1950s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Prickly Pig, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963
Alexander Calder, Prickly Pig, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

Alexander Calder, Prickly Pig, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Porc qui pique (Prickly Pig), originates from the historic 1963 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 141. Published by Maeg...

Category

1960s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, The Moon, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963
Alexander Calder, The Moon, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

Alexander Calder, The Moon, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled La lune (The Moon), originates from the historic 1963 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 141. Published by Maeght Editeur...

Category

1960s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, The Phrygian Cap, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963
Alexander Calder, The Phrygian Cap, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

Alexander Calder, The Phrygian Cap, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Le bonnet phrygien (The Phrygian Cap), originates from the historic 1963 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 141. Publishe...

Category

1960s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Clog, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963
Alexander Calder, Clog, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

Alexander Calder, Clog, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sabot (Clog), originates from the historic 1963 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 141. Published by Maeght Editeur, Pari...

Category

1960s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Anteater, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963
Alexander Calder, Anteater, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

Alexander Calder, Anteater, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Tamanoir (Anteater), originates from the historic 1963 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 141. Published by Maeght Editeu...

Category

1960s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Snow Plow, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963
Alexander Calder, Snow Plow, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

Alexander Calder, Snow Plow, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Chasse neige (Snow Plow), originates from the historic 1963 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 141. Published by Maeght E...

Category

1960s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, The Moon and the Prickly Pig, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963
Alexander Calder, The Moon and the Prickly Pig, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

Alexander Calder, The Moon and the Prickly Pig, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled La lune et porc qui pique (The Moon and the Prickly Pig), originates from the historic 1963 folio Derriere le Miroir...

Category

1960s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Clog and Phrygian Cap, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963
Alexander Calder, Clog and Phrygian Cap, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

Alexander Calder, Clog and Phrygian Cap, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sabot et le bonnet phrygien (Clog and Phrygian Cap), originates from the historic 1963 folio Derriere le Miroir, No....

Category

1960s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, To San Lazzaro, from San Lazzaro et ses Amis, 1975
Alexander Calder, To San Lazzaro, from San Lazzaro et ses Amis, 1975

Alexander Calder, To San Lazzaro, from San Lazzaro et ses Amis, 1975

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled A San Lazzaro (To San Lazzaro), from the album San Lazzaro et ses Amis, Hommage au fondateur de la revue XXe siecle ...

Category

1970s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from XXe Siecle, 1971
Alexander Calder, Untitled, from XXe Siecle, 1971

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from XXe Siecle, 1971

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the album XXe Siecle, Nouvelle serie, XXXIIIe Annee, No. 37, Decembre 1971, originates f...

Category

1970s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from XXe Siecle, 1952
Alexander Calder, Untitled, from XXe Siecle, 1952

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from XXe Siecle, 1952

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the album XXe Siecle, Nouvelle serie No. 3 (double), Juin 1952, originates from the 1952...

Category

1950s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Orange Sun, from Derriere le miroir, 1954
Alexander Calder, Orange Sun, from Derriere le miroir, 1954

Alexander Calder, Orange Sun, from Derriere le miroir, 1954

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Soleil orange (Orange Sun), from the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 69–70, originates from the 1954 edition published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, and printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris, 1954. This work captures Calder’s mastery of motion, balance, and vibrant color through the spontaneous energy of his abstract forms, embodying the rhythmic harmony and visual poetry that defined his art. Executed as a lithograph on velin paper, this work measures 15 x 11 inches. Unsigned and unnumbered as issued. The edition exemplifies the superb craftsmanship of Mourlot Freres, Paris. Artwork Details: Artist: Alexander Calder (1898–1976) Title: Soleil orange (Orange Sun), from the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 69–70 Medium: Lithograph on velin paper Dimensions: 15 x 11 inches (38.1 x 27.9 cm) Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered as issued Date: 1954 Publisher: Maeght Editeur, Paris Printer: Mourlot Freres, Paris Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium Provenance: From the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 69–70, published by Maeght Editeur, Paris; printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris, 1954 About the Publication: Derriere le miroir (Behind the Mirror) was one of the most important art publications of the 20th century, created and published by Maeght Editeur in Paris from 1946 to 1982. Founded by the visionary art dealer and publisher Aime Maeght, the series served as both an exhibition catalogue and a work of art in its own right, uniting original lithographs by leading modern and contemporary artists with critical essays, poetry, and design of the highest quality. Printed by master lithographers such as Mourlot Freres and Arte, Derriere le miroir became synonymous with the artistic vanguard of postwar Europe. Each issue was devoted to a single artist or theme and published to accompany exhibitions at the Galerie Maeght in Paris, featuring works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Georges Braque, Joan Miro, Marc Chagall, Alexander Calder, Fernand Leger, and Alberto Giacometti, among others. The publication reflected Maeght’s belief that art should be both accessible and elevated—an ideal realized through its luxurious production values, meticulous printing, and collaboration with the greatest creative minds of its time. About the Artist: Alexander Calder (1898–1976) was an American sculptor, painter, and printmaker whose pioneering innovations in kinetic art revolutionized 20th-century sculpture and transformed modern visual language. Born in Lawnton, Pennsylvania, into a family of artists, Calder initially trained as a mechanical engineer at the Stevens Institute of Technology before turning to art at the Art Students League in New York—a combination of technical precision and creative imagination that defined his career. Moving to Paris in 1926, he immersed himself in the avant-garde and formed friendships with Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, Joan Miro, Wassily Kandinsky, Salvador Dali, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray, whose ideas profoundly shaped his artistic philosophy. From Picasso, he absorbed structural invention; from Miro, lyrical abstraction; from Kandinsky, spiritual geometry; and from Duchamp and Man Ray, the courage to merge intellect and play. In Paris, Calder created his famous Cirque Calder, a miniature mechanical circus that introduced motion and performance as central components of sculpture, and by the early 1930s, he invented the mobile—a term coined by Duchamp—to describe his delicately balanced, moving sculptures that responded to air currents. Later, Jean Arp would name his stationary counterparts stabiles. These two inventions—sculptures that could either float and spin gracefully or stand monumentally still—transformed art into a dynamic dialogue between movement, balance, and space. Calder’s signature forms, painted in vivid reds, blacks, blues, and yellows, embodied both joy and precision, creating an art that was at once abstract, organic, and deeply human. Like Kandinsky and Miro, he viewed art as a form of rhythm and emotion; like Duchamp, he embraced innovation and humor; and like Giacometti and Dali, he was fascinated by perception, structure, and the unseen forces of motion. His monumental public sculptures—such as La Grande Vitesse (1969) in Grand Rapids and Flamingo (1973) in Chicago—redefined public art as a symbol of civic optimism and modern progress. A key bridge between European modernism and American abstraction, Calder’s influence extended to artists including Jean Tinguely, George Rickey, Donald Judd, Ellsworth Kelly, Richard Serra, and Olafur Eliasson, whose works in kinetic and spatial art continue to echo his vision. His gouaches, prints, and jewelry carried the same balance and movement as his sculptures, revealing a unified language of rhythm across media. Represented in every major modern museum—including MoMA, the Guggenheim, the Tate, and the Centre Pompidou—Calder remains celebrated for merging engineering, color, and poetry into an art of pure equilibrium. Standing alongside Pablo Picasso, Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Wassily Kandinsky, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray, he remains one of the cornerstones of modern art—a visionary whose works breathe with motion, grace, and joy. His highest auction record was achieved by Poisson Volant (Flying Fish) (1957), which sold for $25.9 million at Christie’s, New York, on May 15, 2014, reaffirming Alexander Calder’s enduring legacy as one of the most inventive, dynamic, and collectible artists in the history of modern art. Alexander Calder Soleil...

Category

1950s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Two Pyramids and Spirals, from Derriere le miroir, 1954
Alexander Calder, Two Pyramids and Spirals, from Derriere le miroir, 1954

Alexander Calder, Two Pyramids and Spirals, from Derriere le miroir, 1954

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Deux pyramides et spirales (Two Pyramids and Spirals), from the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 69–70, originates from...

Category

1950s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966
Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 156, originates from the 1966 edition published by Mae...

Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966
Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 156, originates from the 1966 edition published by Mae...

Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966
Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 156, originates from the 1966 edition published by Mae...

Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966
Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 156, originates from the 1966 edition published by Mae...

Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966
Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966

By Alexander Calder

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 156, originates from the 1966 edition published by Mae...

Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

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.

Questions About Alexander Calder Art

  • 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 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 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 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 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
    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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.