Alexander Calder Furniture
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.
1960s American American Classical Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
1960s French Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
1960s French Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
1970s American Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Glass, Paper, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
Late 19th Century American Classical Antique Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century French Modern Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Alexander Calder Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century American Classical Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
Late 19th Century Antique Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
1960s Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
1960s Italian Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
1960s French Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
1960s American Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Paper
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
1960s British Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
1960s American Vintage Alexander Calder Furniture
Alexander Calder furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Alexander Calder
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022American 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, 2022The 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.
- Where is Alexander Calder’s art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Alexander 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 12, 2021The 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, 2022Alexander 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, 2022Alexander 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 ExpertMarch 13, 2024Many people say that Alexander Calder invented kinetic sculpture. However, this is not entirely true. While Calder's mobiles helped popularize kinetic art, other artists like Vladimir Tatlin and Alexander Rodchenko had produced moving sculptures before him. On 1stDibs, find a range of Alexander Calder art from some of the world's top galleries and dealers.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024Alexander 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.