1968
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.
Balloons - Original lithograph - Mourlot, 1971
By Alexander Calder
Located in Paris, IDF
Alexander Calder Balloons and Color Mosaic, 1971 Original Lithograph (4 color stones) Printed in Mourlot workshop On vellum 31 x 24 cm (c. 12,2 x 9,5 in) Edited by San Lazzaro in 1...
Lithograph
Balloons - Original lithograph - Mourlot, 1971
By Alexander Calder
Located in Paris, IDF
Alexander Calder Balloons and Color Mosaic, 1971 Original Lithograph (4 color stones) Printed in Mourlot workshop On vellum 31 x 24 cm (c. 12,2 x 9,5 in) Edited by San Lazzaro in 1...
Lithograph
$1,431
H 30.71 in W 23.23 in
Red, Blue & Black Balloons - Original Lithograph Signed in the Plate
By Alexander Calder
Located in Paris, IDF
Alexander CALDER (1898-1976) Red, blue and black balloons Original lithograph, 1973 Signed in the plate On vellum size 78 x 59 cm (c. 29 x 23 in) Very good condition
Lithograph
$150
H 15 in W 11.5 in D 0.1 in
Spirales Lithograph by Alexander Calder, Vintage 1974, Unframed
By Alexander Calder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This first-release lithograph, Spirales, was published by XXe Siècle in an edition above the official release that accompanied a special volume dedicated to Calder’s work. While plat...
Lithograph
$13,777
H 29.73 in W 21.86 in D 0.04 in
The Monsoon, Original Lithograph, Modern, 1965, Framed, Signed
By Alexander Calder
Located in OPOLE, PL
Alexander Calder (1898-1976) - La Mousson (The Monsoon) Lithograph from 1965. Edition of 78/90 on Rives BKF paper. Dimensions of work: 75.5 x 55.5 cm. Hand signed. Publisher: Ma...
Lithograph
Comètes
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Comètes, 1968 Lithograph in colors on wove paper 26.90 x 21.75 inches Signed and numbered in pencil, edition of 200 copies Professionally framed Alexander Calder was born in Ph...
Lithograph
$495
H 21.25 in W 17.25 in
Alexander Calder Abstract Geometric Lithograph, 1968, from Derriere Le Miroir
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Plate 1 Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #173 Medium: Lithograph Year: 1968 Edition: Unnumbered Frame Size: 21 1/4" x 17 1/4" Sheet Size: 15" x 11" Image...
Lithograph
$23,260
H 29.14 in W 43.31 in D 0.04 in
Loops and Spheres, Original Lithograph, Modern, 1970, Signed
By Alexander Calder
Located in OPOLE, PL
Alexander Calder (1898-1976) - Loops and Spheres Lithograph from 1970. Edition of 27/95. Dimensions of work: 74 x 110 cm The work is in Good condition. Fast and secure shipment.
Lithograph
$691
H 14.57 in W 11.03 in D 0.04 in
Trangle et Quadrilatere - Lithograph by Alexander Calder - 1973
By Alexander Calder
Located in Roma, IT
Trangle et Quadrilatere is a Lithograph realized in 1973 by Alexander Calder. From Derrière Le Miroir. Very good condition including a white cardboard passpartout (52 x 41 cm). Al...
Lithograph
$596
H 9.85 in W 7.49 in
Composition with Red and Blue Ball - Original lithograph (Mourlot)
By Alexander Calder
Located in Paris, IDF
Alexander CALDER Composition with Red and Blue Ball Original lithograph (printed in Mourlot workshop) Printed signature in the plate On Arches vellum 25 x 19 cm (c. 10 x 8 inch) Edi...
Lithograph
Stabiles Study from Derrier le Miroir, Abstract Lithograph by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Alexander Calder, American (1898–1976) Study for Sculpture II from Derriere Le Miroir Date: 1975 Lithograph Size: 15 in. x 22 in. (38.1 cm x 55.88 cm) Frame Size: 23 x 30 inches Prin...
Lithograph
Galerie Bellint, Modern Abstract Poster by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Alexander Calder, American (1898 - 1976) - Galerie Bellint. Year: 1979, Medium: Poster, Size: 32 in. x 20.5 in. (81.28 cm x 52.07 cm)
Lithograph
Damier, Abstract Lithograph by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Alexander Calder, American (1898 - 1976) Title: Damier from Derriere Le Miroir Year: 1966 Medium: Lithograph Size: 14.5 x 10.5 in. (36.83 x 26.67 cm) Frame Size: 23 x 19 inches
Lithograph
Atelier Mourlot, New York - Abstract Lithograph Poster by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Alexander Calder, American (1898 - 1976) - Atelier Mourlot, New York. Year: 1967, Medium: Lithograph Poster, Edition: 1000, Size: 28 x 21 in. (71.12 x 53.34 cm), Printer: Atelier ...
Lithograph
June 4th, Modern Lithograph by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Alexander Calder, American (1898 - 1976) - June 4th. Year: 1973, Medium: Lithograph, Size: 10 in. x 8 in. (25.4 cm x 20.32 cm)
Lithograph
Acrobat in Heels, Framed Modern Lithograph by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Acrobat in Heels from Derriere Le Miroir by Alexander Calder, American (1898–1976) Date: 1975 Lithograph Size: 15 x 11 in. (38.1 x 27.94 cm) Printer: Maeght, Paris Publisher: Maeght ...
Lithograph
There are no sparkling gemstones on this necklace, but its value far exceeds the cost of its materials.
Get your dose of Vitamin D while surveying works by the likes of Alexander Calder, Keith Haring and Pablo Picasso.
