1974
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.
$716Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 26 in
Beastie, Braniff International Airways Flying Colors Collection
By Alexander Calder
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Alexander Calder (1898-1976) Title: Beastie, Braniff International Airways Flying Colors Collection Year: 1975 Medium: Lithograph on vélin d’Arches paper Size: 20 x 26 inches...
Lithograph
$1,195
H 27 in W 33 in
Alexander Calder Lithograph, 1974, Beastie, from Flying Colors
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Beastie Portfolio: Flying Colors Medium: Lithograph Year: 1974 Edition: Unnumbered Frame Size: 27" x 33" Sheet Size: 20" x 26" Image Size: 20" x 26" ...
Lithograph
$950
H 20 in W 26 in D 1 in
Alexander Calder, 'Beastie' from Flying Colors Suite, 1974-1975
By Alexander Calder
Located in Pembroke Pines, FL
Artist: Alexander Calder (1898-1976) Title: Beastie (from the Braniff International Airways Flying Colors Collection) Year: 1974 Medium: Lithographs on Arches paper Size: 20 x 26 inc...
Lithograph
Beastie Lithograph by Alexander Calder, Signed, Limited Edition, 1974
By Alexander Calder
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Original Astonishing Alexander Calder Litograph called "Beastie" Limited Edition (1974 Braniff Airlines) Signed in Plate. This lithograph is in excellent condition, initialed a...
Paper
$1,750
H 20 in W 26 in
Bestie - Alexander Calder Mint Condition from Flying Colors Collection
By Alexander Calder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Beastie Year: 1974 Dimensions: 20in. by 26in. Edition: From the rare limited edition Suite: The Flying Colors Collection Medium: Original lithograph o...
Lithograph
$500
H 11 in W 14 in
1970s Alexander Calder lithograph (Calder Braniff Airlines 1976)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Alexander Calder Braniff Airlines lithograph 1976: Calder "Take Off For The Sun" Medium: Offset lithograph. Dimensions: 11 x 14 inches. An original 1st printing in good overall vin...
Lithograph, Offset
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 26 in
Sky Bird, Braniff International Airways Flying Colors Collection
By Alexander Calder
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Alexander Calder (1898-1976) Title: Sky Bird, Braniff International Airways Flying Colors Collection Year: 1975 Medium: Lithograph on vélin d’Arches paper Size: 20 x 26 inche...
Lithograph
$350
H 18.25 in W 14.25 in D 1 in
Alexander Calder 'Spirales' Lithograph, 1974, Vintage
By Alexander Calder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This first release lithograph titled Spirales by Alexander Calder is a captivating piece of art that showcases Calder's signature style of bold, swirling forms. The lithograph is pla...
Lithograph
$357
H 17.72 in W 22.05 in D 0.04 in
Untitled - Lithograph by Alexander Calder - 1963
By Alexander Calder
Located in Roma, IT
Untitled is an original Lithograph realized in 1963 by Alexander Calder from "Derrière Le Miroir" No signature. Very good condition including a white cardboard Passepartout. Alexa...
Lithograph
$357
H 14.97 in W 11.03 in D 0.04 in
Abstract Composition - Lithograph by Alexander Calder - 1963
By Alexander Calder
Located in Roma, IT
Lithograph on paper realized for Derrière le Miroir no.141, and realized in 1963. Not signed. Very good condition. Derrière le Miroir (“Behind the Mirror”) was the legendary art m...
Lithograph
Exhibition at Brewster Gallery, Lithograph Poster after Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
After Alexander Calder, American (1898 - 1976) - Exhibition at Brewster Gallery. Year: circa 1975, Medium: Lithograph Poster, Size: 35 in. x 21.5 in. (88.9 cm x 54.61 cm)
Lithograph
Exhibition at Brewster Gallery, Lithograph Poster by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Alexander Calder, After, American (1898 - 1976) - Exhibition at Brewster Gallery. Year: circa 1975, Medium: Lithograph Poster, Size: 35 in. x 21.5 in. (88.9 cm x 54.61 cm)
Lithograph
Convection, Flying Colors for Braniff Airlines, Lithograph by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
An original lithograph by Alexander Calder that he designed for the Braniff Airlines Flying Colors project. Braniff Airlines Flying Colors Blindstamp, lower right. Convection Alex...
Lithograph
Invitation to Sandy's Air Party, Modern Lithograph by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Alexander Calder, American (1898 - 1976) - Invitation to Sandy's Air Party. Year: 1975, Medium: Lithograph, Size: 6.25 in. x 8.5 in. (15.88 cm x 21.59 cm)
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
Sky Swirl from Flying Colors, Modern Abstract Lithograph by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Alexander Calder (after), (American, 1898-1976) Title: Sky Swirl, Flying Colors for Braniff Airlines Year: 1974 Medium: Lithograph, signed in the plate Size: 20 in. x 26 in. ...
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.
