Alexander CalderSky Bird (Braniff International Airways), Alexander Calder1974
1974
About the Item
- Creator:Alexander Calder (1898 - 1976, American)
- Creation Year:1974
- Dimensions:Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Width: 26 in (66.04 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Fairfield, CT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1342114178172
Alexander Calder
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Fairfield, CT
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Black Lines (from the Our Unfinished Revolution portfolio), Alexander CalderBy Alexander CalderLocated in Fairfield, CTArtist: Alexander Calder (1898-1976) Title: Black Lines (from the Our Unfinished Revolution portfolio) Year: 1975-76 Medium: Lithograph in colors on Arches paper Edition: 175, plus p...Category
1970s Modern Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Sky Swirl (Braniff International Airways), Alexander CalderBy Alexander CalderLocated in Fairfield, CTArtist: Alexander Calder (1898-1976) Title: Sky Swirl (from the Braniff International Airways Flying Colors Collection) Year: 1974 Medium: Lithograph on Arches paper Size: 20 x 26 i...Category
1970s Modern Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Zero Man in Love, Peter MaxBy Peter MaxLocated in Fairfield, CTArtist: Peter Max (1937) Title: Zero Man in Love Year: 1997 Medium: Lithograph and acrylic on Arches paper Size: 10.5 x 8.5 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription: Signed and by the...Category
1990s Pop Art Abstract Prints
MaterialsMixed Media, Acrylic, Lithograph
- New York City Street Scene (L.18), Fairfield PorterBy Fairfield PorterLocated in Fairfield, CTArtist: Fairfield Porter (1907-1975) Title: Street Scene (L.18) Year: 1969 Medium: Lithograph on Arches paper Edition: 69/100, plus proofs Size: 22.25 x 30 inches Condition: Excellen...Category
1960s Expressionist Landscape Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Flag, Peter MaxBy Peter MaxLocated in Fairfield, CTArtist: Peter Max (1937) Title: Flag Year: 1997 Medium: Lithograph and acrylic on Arches paper Size: 12 x 14 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription: Signed and by the artist. PETER...Category
1990s Pop Art Abstract Prints
MaterialsMixed Media, Acrylic, Lithograph
- Mona Lisa, Peter MaxBy Peter MaxLocated in Fairfield, CTArtist: Peter Max (1937) Title: Mona Lisa Year: 1998 Medium: Lithograph and acrylic on Arches paper Size: 12 x 14 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription: Signed and by the artist. ...Category
1990s Pop Art Abstract Prints
MaterialsMixed Media, Acrylic, Lithograph
- 'Tree Root' . Hand colored lithogarph circa 1959.By Jack CoutuLocated in Frome, SomersetA fine Raymond John 'Jack' Coutu (1924-2017) ARE, ARCA. color lithograph/ engraving. 'Tree Root'. 6th of a 50 handmade edition by the artist.. circa 1959. Well listed Modern Artist. Signed and presented in the original framing. Raymond John "Jack" Coutu ARE ARCA (13 September 1924 – 17 May 2017) was an English printmaker, sculptor, etcher, engraver, carver, watercolourist and teacher. He was influenced by Oriental art.Jack Coutu was born Raymond John Coutu at Farnham, Surrey, England, and was educated at Farnham Grammar School.[ On leaving school in 1940, he worked at Abbott of Farnham, a coachbuilding company in Farnham, where his father Bert Coutu was also employed painting coats of arms and heraldic shields. In 1942, at the age of 18 during World War II, he joined the Royal Corps of Signals, where after training he served in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), India, and Singapore. At the end of WWII, he was in Kure, Japan, in the Hiroshima Prefecture. From 1947 to 1951, Coutu studied at the Farnham School of Art, followed by the Royal College of Art in London from 1951 to 1954 and the Central School of Art from 1951 to 1955. At the Central School of Art, Merlin Evans was an influence on Coutu's printmaking. Coutu taught printmaking at the Central School of Art from 1957 to 1965 and then at the West Surrey College of Art and Design in Farnham from 1965 to 1985. In 1968, he started to carve netsuke (as practised in Japan) and he joined the Netsuke Kenkyukai Society, based in the United StatesHe is also a member of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers and the Printmakers Council. Jack Coutu has exhibited at the Royal Academy in London, netsuke conventions, jointly with Michael Rothenstein...Category
1950s Modern Landscape Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- John Piper: 'Nursery Frieze II' lithographBy John PiperLocated in London, GBTo see our other Modern British Art (including many other John Piper prints), scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a m...Category
1970s Modern Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Nuage Blanc (White Cloud)Located in New York, NYHailing from a small edition of 50, this sophisticated lithograph on paper was realized by an unheralded Mid Century Modern printmaker in 1977. Entitled "Nuage Blanc" (White Cloud), ...Category
1970s Modern Landscape Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Wharf-sideBy Richard FlorsheimLocated in New York, NYRichard Florsheim created this color lithograph entitled “Warf-Side” in 1962 in an edition of 60 pieces. This impression is signed and inscribed “Trial Proof” and printed at the Mour...Category
1960s American Modern Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- WavesBy Richard FlorsheimLocated in New York, NYRichard Florsheim created this color lithograph entitled “Waves” in 1973 in an edition of 50 pieces. Printed by Mourlot Press, Paris, this impression is signed and inscribed “3/50” – the third print of fifty. It is in good condition with full original color. The printed image size is 16 3/8 x 23.75 inches and the paper size is 19.75 x 26.50 inches. RICHARD ABERLE FLORSHEIM...Category
1970s American Modern Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Glowing CityBy Richard FlorsheimLocated in New York, NYRichard Florsheim created this color lithograph entitled “Glowing City” in 1969 in an edition of 250 pieces. Published by Associated American Artists and printed by Mourlot Press, Pa...Category
1960s American Modern Landscape Prints
MaterialsLithograph
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Renowned for His Mobiles, Alexander Calder Was Also Adept at Crafting Modernist Jewelry
There are no sparkling gemstones on this necklace, but its value far exceeds the cost of its materials.
10 Must-Visit American Public Sculptures
Get your dose of Vitamin D while surveying works by the likes of Alexander Calder, Keith Haring and Pablo Picasso.