Alexander Calder Paintings

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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Creator: Alexander Calder

Alexander Calder, Original Lithograph 15/90, Les Queles Deqoulinantes 1966

$5,144

Alexander Calder, Original Lithograph 15/90, Les Queles Deqoulinantes 1966

By Alexander Calder

Located in Stockholm, SE

A lithograph by Alexander Calder namned Les Queles Deqoulinantes. This is number 15 in an edition of 90. It is 76 x 59 cm (framed), 61 x 44 cm (picture). It is reframed but have the ...

Category

1960s French Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper

Alexander Calder Untitled/Flowers Fences 1972 Magie Eolienne Portfolio

$4,500

Alexander Calder Untitled/Flowers Fences 1972 Magie Eolienne Portfolio

By Alexander Calder

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Untitled (from the Calder, Magie Eolienne portfolio) (also called Flowers at the Fence) Year: 1972 Medium: Lithograph on Arches Signed and numbered to...

Category

1970s Nigerian Vintage Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Selection of Alexander Calder Lithographs

$850 / item

H 32.5 in W 24.25 in D 0.5 in

Selection of Alexander Calder Lithographs

By Alexander Calder

Located in Atlanta, GA

Selection of Alexander Calder color lithographs, circa 1960s. They have been recently framed in clean lined black lacquered wood gallery frames...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Large Mid Century abstract Oil on Burlap Alexander Calder School, Circa 1950s

$4,800

H 36 in W 60 in D 2 in

Large Mid Century abstract Oil on Burlap Alexander Calder School, Circa 1950s

By Alexander Calder

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Large Mid-Century Abstract Oil on Burlap Al. Ballatto (active mid-20th century) Circa 1950s–early 1960s Oil on artist-prepared burlap, original wood frame Signed lower right: “Al. Ba...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Burlap, Wood

Alexander Calder - Fish and pyramids

$9,570

H 31.5 in W 39.38 in D 0.4 in

Alexander Calder - Fish and pyramids

By Alexander Calder

Located in PAU, FR

Lithograph signed and numbered "fish And pyramids" by Alexander Calder 1976 Edition of 150 copies Perfect condition

Category

1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper

Vintage Alexander Calder lithograph (1970s Calder prints)

$200Sale Price|20% Off

H 14.5 in W 11.5 in D 0.01 in

Vintage Alexander Calder lithograph (1970s Calder prints)

By (after) Alexander Calder

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Vintage early 1970s Alexander Calder off-set lithograph: Published by Art in America, circa early 1970s. Good to very good overall vintage condition. Printed signature from an editi...

Category

1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper

Alexander Calder "Merging Curves" Unsigned Abstract Color Lithograph

$1,160Sale Price|20% Off

H 21.25 in W 28 in D 1 in

Alexander Calder "Merging Curves" Unsigned Abstract Color Lithograph

By Alexander Calder

Located in Skokie, IL

Alexander Calder "Merging Curves" Unsigned Abstract Color Lithograph "Merging Curves" is an abstract color lithograph by American artist and sculptor Alexander Calder (1898-1976). ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Metal

Alexander Calder "The Waves" - French Wool Tapestry

$85,000 / item

H 41 in W 59 in D 3 in

Alexander Calder "The Waves" - French Wool Tapestry

By Alexander Calder

Located in New York, NY

- "Les Vagues" (The Waves) from the Bicentennial Tapestries series - 41 x 59 in, 103 x 150 cm - Signed by artist and monogrammed by atelier - Numbered 39 - Atelier Pinton Frères in F...

Category

20th Century French Modern Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Wool, Silk

Alexander Calder 1970’s coloured lithograph Asymetrie

$2,004

H 34.65 in W 27.56 in D 3.94 in

Alexander Calder 1970’s coloured lithograph Asymetrie

By Alexander Calder

Located in London, GB

Original 1970's Alexander Calder Asymetrie coloured lithograph. Foxing to the paper., which should be visible in the photos. Reframed.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper

"Splotchy" Textile by Alexander Calder for Laverne Originals

$8,500

H 52 in W 312 in D 1 in

"Splotchy" Textile by Alexander Calder for Laverne Originals

By Laverne International, Alexander Calder

Located in Pawtucket, RI

"Splotchy" textile by Alexander Calder for Laverne Originals. Hand printed on linen. 26 ft. available The innovative husband-and-wife team Erwin and Estelle Laverne, specialized...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Fabric

Alexander Calder Lithograph (L'Espoir du Volubius) 1973

$16,000

H 20.38 in W 28.38 in D 0.01 in

Alexander Calder Lithograph (L'Espoir du Volubius) 1973

By Alexander Calder

Located in Woodbury, CT

Alexander Calder Lithograph, L'Espoir du Volubius(Hope of Volubilis) 1973 hand signed and numbered in Roman numerals XXXIV/L(34/50)

Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper

Original Oil on Panel Guy Dessauges 70's Painting Swiss Artist, 20/5/09/15

$2,512

H 25.99 in W 39.38 in D 1.19 in

Original Oil on Panel Guy Dessauges 70's Painting Swiss Artist, 20/5/09/15

Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Oil on medium size panel by the Swiss painter Guy Dessauges. Made in the 1970s using his technique of superimposing "glazes" which gives the painting depth and a magnificent relief e...

Category

1970s Swiss Organic Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paint

Alexander Calder Lithograph (La Pointe de non-retour) 1976

$14,000

H 20.38 in W 28.38 in D 0.01 in

Alexander Calder Lithograph (La Pointe de non-retour) 1976

By Alexander Calder

Located in Woodbury, CT

Alexander Calder Lithograph, La Pointe de non-retour (The Point of No Return), from La Mémoire élémentaire (The Elementary Memory), 1976 hand signed and numbered in Roman numerals XX...

Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper

Forest Path – Oil Painting by Alexander Michael, 1972

$565

H 22.84 in W 26.97 in D 1.19 in

Forest Path – Oil Painting by Alexander Michael, 1972

Located in Berghuelen, DE

Forest Path – Oil Painting by Alexander Michael, 1972 This atmospheric painting portrays a sun-dappled forest path, winding through a dense woodland. Dappled sunlight filters throug...

Category

1970s German Other Vintage Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Wood, Paint

Previously Available Items

Alexander Calder Pace/Columbus exhibition Hand Lithograph, 1971

Sold

H 25 in W 32 in D 0.1 in

Alexander Calder Pace/Columbus exhibition Hand Lithograph, 1971

By Alexander Calder

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This is a rare and excellent original hand lithograph produced for the 1971 Pace/Columbus exhibition. Number 35. Acquired from the Flint Institute of ...

Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper

Original Alexander Calder Painting

Sold

H 42 in W 30 in

Original Alexander Calder Painting

By Alexander Calder

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Signed and dated, watercolor on paper painting by renowned American artist, Alexander Calder (1898-1976)

Category

1970s American Vintage Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Alexander Calder paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Alexander Calder paintings are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of paper and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Alexander Calder paintings, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original paintings by Alexander Calder were created in the modern style in united states during the 1970s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider paintings by William Phelps Montgomery, Stevan Kissel, and Robert Natkin. Prices for Alexander Calder paintings can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,850 and can go as high as $2,850, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,850.

Questions About Alexander Calder Paintings

Where is Alexander Calder’s art?
1 Answer
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.
What did Alexander Calder invent?
1 Answer
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.
What was Alexander Calder famous for?
1 Answer
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.
Was Alexander Calder a Surrealist?
1 Answer
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.
What is a mobile Alexander Calder?
1 Answer
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.
What is Alexander Calder best known for?
1 Answer
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.
What art did Alexander Calder make?
1 Answer
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.
What is so revolutionary about Alexander Calder's mobiles?
1 Answer
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.
What was Alexander Calder best known for?
1 Answer
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.
How much is an Alexander Calder mobile worth?
1 Answer
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.
What elements of art did Alexander Calder use?
1 Answer
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.
What art movement was Alexander Calder connected to?
1 Answer
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.
What type of sculpture did Alexander Calder invent?
1 Answer
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.
Why are Alexander Calder’s sculptures called mobiles?
1 Answer
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.
Which characteristics describe Alexander Calder’s sculptures?
1 Answer
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.
How many works of art did Alexander Calder make?
1 Answer
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.
Which mood best describes Alexander Calder’s sculptures?
1 Answer
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.

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