1973
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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Derriere Le Miroir-No. 190-Page 14-15
By Alexander Calder
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Derriere Le Miroir-No. 190-Page 14-15 Color lithograph, 1971 Unsigned (as issued) From: Derriere Le Miroir, No. 190, 1971 Publisher: Aime Maeght, Paris Printer: L’Imprimerie Arts, Pa...
Lithograph
Derriere Le Miroir-Page 6-7
By Alexander Calder
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Derriere Le Miroir-Page 6-7 Color lithograph, 1973 Unsigned (as issued) From: Derriere Le Miroir, No. 201, January 1973 Publisher: Maeght Editeur, Paris Printer: L’Imprimerie Arte, A...
Lithograph
Derriere Le Miroir No. 201, Untitled
By Alexander Calder
Located in Austin, TX
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Derriere Le Miroir No. 201, Untitled Single Lithograph from the Derriere le Miroir No. 201 publication. Unsigned and unnumbered from an edition of p...
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
Derriere Le Miroir No. 201, Cover
By Alexander Calder
Located in Austin, TX
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Derriere Le Miroir No. 201, Cover One page Lithograph from the Derriere le Miroir No. 201 publication. Unsigned and unnumbered from an edition of pre...
Lithograph
Derriere Le Miroir-Page 9
By Alexander Calder
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Derriere Le Miroir-Page 9 Color lithograph, 1973 From: Derriere Le Miroir, No. 201, January 1973 Unsigned (as issued) Publisher: Maeght Editeur, Paris Printer: L’Imprimerie Arte, Adr...
Lithograph
Derriere le Miroir: Stabiles
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Portfolio with complete text is one of 150 deluxe numbered copies. It consists of 7 boldly colored lithographs and color lithograph cover. The sheets are loose as issued. Signed in p...
Color, Lithograph
Derriere Le Miroir No. 141 Stabile 2
By Alexander Calder
Located in Austin, TX
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Derriere Le Miroir No. 141, Stabile 2 A double page lithograph from the Derriere le Miroir No. 141 publication. With vertical fold in the middle, as ...
Lithograph
$495
H 21.25 in W 17.25 in
Alexander Calder Abstract Lithograph, Unsigned, 1966, Derriere Le Miroir #156
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Plate 6 (Derriere le Miroir #156) Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #156 Medium: Lithograph Year: 1966 Edition: Unnumbered Frame Size: 21 1/4" x 17 1/4" I...
Lithograph
$450
H 11 in W 15 in
Alexander Calder lithograph Derrière le miroir (Calder prints)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Alexander Calder Lithograph c. 1971 from Derrière le miroir: Lithograph in colors; 15 x 11 inches. Very good overall vintage condition; well-preseved. Unsigned from an edition of un...
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.
