1970
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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Pinwheels and Pyramids Lithograph, Modern, Signed Artist Proof, 1970
By Alexander Calder
Located in Naples, Florida
Alexander Calder's "Pinwheels and Pyramids," a lithograph from 1970, is a striking example of his signature style that blends abstraction with a sense of playfulness. Known for his i...
Lithograph
1960s Signed Tabour A Trois Pieds Lithograph Print, Abstract Geometric
By Alexander Calder
Located in Naples, Florida
Signed and numbered in pencil Edition 62 of 75 In Tabouret à trois pieds, Calder translates sculptural form into graphic language through simplified geometry and bold color. The ...
Paper, Lithograph
Girandola Color Lithograph Print, Abstract, Signed, 1970s, Ed. 23/100
By Alexander Calder
Located in Naples, Florida
Color lithograph on paper Edition 23 of 100 Signed and numbered in pencil Publisher: Studio Marconi, Milan Reference: Studio Marconi, International Graphic Works, 2...
Paper, Lithograph
Signed Oriflammes Lithograph Print, Abstract Style, Edition 35/75
By Alexander Calder
Located in Naples, Florida
Lithograph in colors on wove paper Edition 35 of 75 Signed and numbered in pencil lower right and left: Calder, edition of 75 Published by Maeght, Paris Titled in p...
Paper, Lithograph
Tree of Good and Evil, 1950s Abstract Lithograph, Signed and Framed
By Alexander Calder
Located in Naples, Florida
Color lithograph on paper Edition 96 of 100 Signed and numbered in pencil Publisher: Studio Marconi, Milan Reference: Studio Marconi, International Graphic Works, 2013, p...
Paper, Lithograph
Framed Caracol Lithograph Print, Abstract Style, Edition 58 of 75
By Alexander Calder
Located in Naples, Florida
Sheet size: 23 × 30.5 inches Edition 58 of 75 This lithograph features a spiral form resembling a snail (caracol in Spanish), rendered in bold contour and primary colors. The simp...
Paper, Lithograph
Pyramids - Original Lithograph - Printed Signature
By Alexander Calder
Located in Paris, IDF
Alexander CALDER (1898-1976) Pyramids Original lithograph Signed in the plate On paper 64 x 43 cm (c. 25.1 x 16.9 in) INFORMATION: This lithograph was produced for the Pyramids exh...
Lithograph
Homage to Euclid (Composition IX), Hand Signed Lithograph, 84/100, Framed, 1976
By Alexander Calder
Located in Aventura, FL
Homage to Euclid (Composition IX) from La Mémoire Élémentaire. Lithograph in colors on Arches paper. Hand signed by Alexander Calder lower right. Hand numbered 84/100 lower left (...
Paper, Lithograph
Colored Wedge Structure Lithograph, Modernism, 1963, Unframed, DLM
By Alexander Calder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This double-page lithograph, featuring a colored wedge structure, is printed on pages 17 and 18 of Derrière le Miroir (DLM) No. 141. The lithograph includes a fold line down the cent...
Lithograph
Stabiles - Lithograph poster (Maeght)
By Alexander Calder
Located in Paris, IDF
Alexander Calder Stabiles Lithograph poster Made for the exhibition of Alexander Calder at Maeght Gallery Printer: Arte Paris Editor: Maeght 77 x 55 cm (c. 30.3 x 21.6 in) Excellen...
Lithograph
The Triangles and Spiral
By Alexander Calder
Located in Missouri, MO
The Triangles and Spiral, 1973 By. Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976) Signed Lower Right Numbered: 66/150 Unframed: 26 x 19.25 inches Framed: 34 x 27 inches Alexander Calder was born in Philadelphia in 1898. After obtaining his mechanical engineering degree from the Stevens Institute of Technology, Calder worked at various jobs before enrolling at the Art Students League in New York City in 1923. During his student years, he did line drawing for the National Police Gazette. In 1925, Calder published his first book, Animal Sketches...
Color, Lithograph
"Les Pyramides Grandes" framed signed lithograph by Alexander Calder. Edition EA
By Alexander Calder
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"Les Pyramides Grandes" framed geometric abstract lithograph of pyramids by Alexander Calder. Hand-lettered EA on lower left front. Hand-signed C...
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.
