Skip to main content

Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

American, 1898-1976

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.

to
9
4
1
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
13
1
1
404
261
171
153
138
15
1
3
11
11
4
8
6
5
4
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
13
1
1
1
1
3
1
12
3
Artist: Alexander Calder
Puppet Man, E. A
Puppet Man, E. A

Puppet Man, E. A

By Alexander Calder

Located in Miami Beach, FL

"Puppet Man, 1960. By Alexander Calder. "E.A" Written in pencil by the artist The "E.A." designation on the print likely indicates it's an artist's proof, o...

Category

1960s Abstract Geometric Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Archival Paper, Lithograph

Santa Claus : Three Figures - Original Handsigned Etching
Santa Claus : Three Figures - Original Handsigned Etching

Santa Claus : Three Figures - Original Handsigned Etching

By Alexander Calder

Located in Paris, IDF

Alexandre Calder (1898 - 1976) Santa Claus : Three Figures, 1974 Original Etching Handsigned in pencil On vellum Arches 50.5 cm x 66 cm (c. 19,7 x 25,9 inch) Excellent condition

Category

1970s American Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror
Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror

By Alexander Calder

Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH

Alexander Calder - Lithograph - Behind the Mirror 1 lithograph created in 1976 Unsigned. Unnumbered from an edition of presumably large size. Dimensions: 38 x 28 cm Source: Lithogra...

Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder Modern Lithograph, 1966, Cover (Derriere le Miroir #156)
Alexander Calder Modern Lithograph, 1966, Cover (Derriere le Miroir #156)

Alexander Calder Modern Lithograph, 1966, Cover (Derriere le Miroir #156)

By Alexander Calder

Located in Washington, DC

Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Cover (Derriere le Miroir #156) Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #156 Medium: Lithograph Date: 1966 Frame Size: 21 1/4" x 17 1/4" Sheet Size: 15" x 11" I...

Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror
Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror

By Alexander Calder

Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror 2 Original lithographs on the same paper (recto/verso, on both paper sides) produced in 1976 Conditions: Good Conditions D...

Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror
Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror

By Alexander Calder

Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror 1 Original lithograph created in 1976 Dimensions: 38 x 28 cm Source: Derrière le miroir (DLM), n°221, 1976 Alexander Cald...

Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror
Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror

By Alexander Calder

Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror 1 Original lithograph created in 1976 Framed Dimensions: 38 x 28 cm Source: Derrière le miroir (DLM), n°221, 1976 Alexand...

Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror
Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror

By Alexander Calder

Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - Behind the Mirror 1 Original lithograph created in 1976 Framed Dimensions: 38 x 28 cm Source: Derrière le miroir (DLM), n°221, 1976 Alexand...

Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Related Items
Cypriano (A Basque Boy)

Cypriano (A Basque Boy)

By Gerald Leslie Brockhurst

Located in Middletown, NY

Etching on cream wove paper. 6 5/16 x 3 3/4 inches (159 x 94 mm), full margin. Signed in pencil lower center margin, from the edition of 111. A well inked impression with a minor cre...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Handmade Paper, Etching

Muse (a young novice in colorful swim suit struggles thru a pool of blue)
Muse (a young novice in colorful swim suit struggles thru a pool of blue)

Muse (a young novice in colorful swim suit struggles thru a pool of blue)

By Art Werger

Located in New Orleans, LA

Muse is #43 of 45. It depicts a young woman in a colorful swimsuit doing her best to swim through the blue waters of the pool. Her mouth is pursed and the bubbles flow out. I sold an impression of this image to an olympic swimming...

Category

Early 2000s American Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching

Faces, Black and White - Figurative Portrait
Faces, Black and White - Figurative Portrait

Faces, Black and White - Figurative Portrait

By Juan Carlos Breceda

Located in Austin, TX

This black and white original lithograph by Mexican artist Juan Carlos Breceda depicts a checkerboard of abstracted woman's face from a variety of ...

Category

20th Century Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Archival Paper, Lithograph

Untitled Composition (Poligrafa, Mexican, Modern, Latin America)
Untitled Composition (Poligrafa, Mexican, Modern, Latin America)

Untitled Composition (Poligrafa, Mexican, Modern, Latin America)

By Rufino Tamayo

Located in Kansas City, MO

Rufino Tamayo Untitled Composition from "Ediciones Poligrafa, Barcelona at Redfern Gallery, London" Original Color Lithograph Year: 1979 Edition: 1000 Size: 10 x 7.325 inches (25.4 × 18.61 cm) Unsigned and not individually numbered Publisher: La Poligrafa S.A., Barcelona, Spain Printer: La Poligrafa S.A., Barcelona, Spain Copy of the Imprint Page with Edition Number included Gallery-issued COA provided upon request *Could come framed in a simple white/black/natural frame made from composite wood with standard plex for an additional $48. See example images. Please inquire. Rufino Tamayo was among the internationally recognized artists featured in the Ediciones Polígrafa exhibition at the Redfern Gallery, London, held from December 4, 1979 to January 31, 1980. Organized in collaboration with the Barcelona-based publisher Polígrafa, the exhibition highlighted a broad spectrum of modern printmaking, bringing together leading figures whose graphic works expanded the boundaries of contemporary art. Tamayo’s contribution reflects his distinctive synthesis of Mexican cultural identity with international modernist language. Unlike many of his contemporaries in Mexican muralism, Tamayo favored a more universal and poetic visual vocabulary over overt political narrative. His prints—often executed as lithographs—are characterized by bold chromatic contrasts, textured surfaces, and simplified, almost cosmic figuration. Themes such as humanity, mythology, celestial bodies, and existential reflection recur throughout his work, conveyed through a restrained yet powerful formal language. Within the context of the Polígrafa exhibition, Tamayo’s prints underscored the global dialogue between tradition and modernity, situating his work alongside that of artists such as Joan Miró, Antoni Tàpies, and Eduardo Chillida. His inclusion reaffirmed his position as one of the most significant Latin American artists of the 20th century and a key figure in the evolution of modern printmaking. Rufino Tamayo lithograph...

Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

ELLA FITZGERALD Lithograph, Celebrity Caricature Portrait, Female Jazz Vocalist
ELLA FITZGERALD Lithograph, Celebrity Caricature Portrait, Female Jazz Vocalist

ELLA FITZGERALD Lithograph, Celebrity Caricature Portrait, Female Jazz Vocalist

By Albert Al Hirschfeld

Located in Union City, NJ

ELLA FITZGERALD is a limited edition lithograph by the renowned artist/caricaturist Al Hirschfeld (1903-2003) printed using traditional lithography techniques on archival printmaking...

Category

1990s Contemporary Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

1959 Israeli Yosl Bergner Modernist Color Woodcut Woodblock Print
1959 Israeli Yosl Bergner Modernist Color Woodcut Woodblock Print

1959 Israeli Yosl Bergner Modernist Color Woodcut Woodblock Print

By Yosl Bergner

Located in Surfside, FL

Abstract Composition, 1959 Silkscreen Lithograph "Phoenix". This was from a portfolio which included works by Yosl Bergner, Menashe Kadishman, Yosef Zaritsky, Aharon Kahana, Jacob Wexler...

Category

1950s Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph, Screen

"The Devil at the Keyboard" 1976 hand-signed lithograph by Willem de Kooning
"The Devil at the Keyboard" 1976 hand-signed lithograph by Willem de Kooning

"The Devil at the Keyboard" 1976 hand-signed lithograph by Willem de Kooning

By Willem de Kooning

Located in Boca Raton, FL

"The Devil at the Keyboard" 1976 color lithograph artist proof. Abstract portrait of Thelonious Monk by Willem de Kooning. Hand signed de Kooning and numbered A/P in front lower righ...

Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

The Cardinal - Lithograph by Mario Bardi - 1979

The Cardinal - Lithograph by Mario Bardi - 1979

By Mario Bardi

Located in Roma, IT

Lithograph realized by Mario Bardi in 1979. Edition of 99. Hand signed and dated in pencil. Excellent condition.

Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

A Gable in the Grande Rue, Lisieux, Etching, Modern, 1910s
A Gable in the Grande Rue, Lisieux, Etching, Modern, 1910s

A Gable in the Grande Rue, Lisieux, Etching, Modern, 1910s

By John Taylor Arms

Located in New Orleans, LA

This image is the 3rd etching created by Arms. It was printed byGrederick Reynolds in an edition of 116. Referenced as Fletcher #3 the image is the second in his Gable series. Lis...

Category

1910s American Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching

Portrait of James McBey.
Portrait of James McBey.

Portrait of James McBey.

By Walter Tittle

Located in Plano, TX

James McBey. 1931. Drypoint. 8 7/8 x 5 7/8 (sheet 11 1/2 x 9 ). An extremely rich impression with drypoint burr, printed by the artist on cream wove paper. Signed in the plate lower ...

Category

1930s American Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Drypoint, Etching

Portrait of Albert Schweitzer.
Portrait of Albert Schweitzer.

Arthur William HeintzelmanPortrait of Albert Schweitzer., 1950

$750Sale Price|50% Off

H 11.75 in W 9.75 in D 0.5 in

Portrait of Albert Schweitzer.

By Arthur William Heintzelman

Located in Plano, TX

Portrait of Albert Schweitzer. Etching. 11 3/4 x 9 3/4 (sheet 16 1/4 x 14). Illustrated: Beall, American Prints in the Library of Congress, page 205....

Category

1950s American Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching, Drypoint

Journal des Demoiselles - Lithograph - 1900
Journal des Demoiselles - Lithograph - 1900

Journal des Demoiselles - Lithograph - 1900, 1900

$280

H 14.18 in W 11.03 in D 0.04 in

Journal des Demoiselles - Lithograph - 1900

Located in Roma, IT

Colour lithograph on paper, from the celebrated French fashion periodical Journal des Demoiselles. Hand-coloured fashion plate (pochoir colouring), printed by Imp. Falco(n)er, Paris...

Category

Early 1900s Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Previously Available Items
Alexander Calder Etching and Aquatint in Colors, Abstract, Signed, 1974, "Devil"
Alexander Calder Etching and Aquatint in Colors, Abstract, Signed, 1974, "Devil"

Alexander Calder Etching and Aquatint in Colors, Abstract, Signed, 1974, "Devil"

By Alexander Calder

Located in Washington, DC

Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Devil Medium: Etching and aquatint in colors Date: 1974 Edition: 20/80 Sheet Size: 25 7/8" x 20" Image Size: 19 1/8" x 13 1/2" Signature: Hand signed ...

Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph, Aquatint

Alexander Calder Las Vegas card players lithograph (Calder prints)

Alexander Calder Las Vegas card players lithograph (Calder prints)

By Alexander Calder

Located in NEW YORK, NY

Alexander Calder Card Players Lithograph 1975: Lithograph in colors; 11 x 15 inches. Very good overall vintage condition. Unsigned from an edition of unknown. Portfolio: Derrière le...

Category

1970s Pop Art Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder Las Vegas card players lithograph (Calder prints)

Alexander Calder Las Vegas card players lithograph (Calder prints)

By Alexander Calder

Located in NEW YORK, NY

Alexander Calder Card Players Lithograph 1975: Lithograph in colors; 11 x 15 inches. Very good overall vintage condition. Unsigned from an edition of unknown. Portfolio: Derrière le...

Category

1970s Pop Art Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Derriere le Miroir #248, Portrait

Derriere le Miroir #248, Portrait

By Alexander Calder

Located in Austin, TX

Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Derriere le Miroir #248 Year: 1981 Dimensions: 15" x 11" Published by Maeght Editeur Good condition. Slight toning consistent with age.

Category

1950s Abstract Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Pyramid and Red Sun, from La Mémoire élémentaire

Pyramid and Red Sun, from La Mémoire élémentaire

By Alexander Calder

Located in Austin, TX

Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Pyramid and Red Sun, from La Mémoire élémentaire Date: 1978 Lithograph in colors, on wove paper S. 28 3/8 x 20 1/2 in. (72.1 x 52.1 cm) Signed and num...

Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

La Recolte (Harvest)
La Recolte (Harvest)

La Recolte (Harvest)

By Alexander Calder

Located in Austin, TX

Artist: Alexander Calder Title: La Recolte (Harvest) Year: 1962 Medium: Aquatint on Rives BFK Publisher: Maeght, Paris Signed and numbered 70/90 in pencil, lower margin Provenance: L...

Category

1960s Abstract Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Aquatint

Portrait of Constantin Tacou
Portrait of Constantin Tacou

Portrait of Constantin Tacou

By Alexander Calder

Located in Saint Augustine, FL

An original signed aquatint on Richard de Bas handmade paper by American artist Alexander Calder (1898-1976) titled "Portrait of Constantin Tacou", 1974. Hand pencil signed by Calder lower right and numbered lower left. Limited edition: 28/80. Printer unknown and published by Éditions de l'Herne, Paris, France. Richard de Bas watermark lower right and Auvergne a la Main watermark upper left. Provenance: private collection - Portland, Maine. Sheet size: 26" x 20". Image size: 19.5" x 13.75". Some minor toning to edges associated with age. A good impression with strong bright colors. In overall excellent condition. Rare. Constantin Tacou , born January 15 , 1926 in Livadiá in eastern Macedonia and died on January 22 , 2001 in Paris , is a French translator and publisher of Romanian origin. From 1976 until his death, he was the director of the publishing house L'Herne and the journal Les Cahiers de...

Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Santa Claus : Man - Original Handsigned Etching
Santa Claus : Man - Original Handsigned Etching

Santa Claus : Man - Original Handsigned Etching

By Alexander Calder

Located in Paris, IDF

Alexandre Calder (1898 - 1976) Santa Claus : Man, 1974 Original Etching Handsigned in pencil On vellum Arches 50.5 cm x 65 cm (c. 19,7 x 25,6 inch) Excellent condition

Category

1970s American Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching

Santa Claus : Skeleton - Original Handsigned Etching
Santa Claus : Skeleton - Original Handsigned Etching

Santa Claus : Skeleton - Original Handsigned Etching

By Alexander Calder

Located in Paris, IDF

Alexandre Calder (1898 - 1976) Santa Claus : Skeleton, 1974 Original Etching Handsigned in pencil On vellum Auvergnes 67.5 cm x 51 cm (c. 26,3 x 20,1 inch) Excellent condition

Category

1970s American Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Etching

Derrière Le Miroir No. 156 (front cover) /// Modern Abstract Alexander Calder
Derrière Le Miroir No. 156 (front cover) /// Modern Abstract Alexander Calder

Derrière Le Miroir No. 156 (front cover) /// Modern Abstract Alexander Calder

By Alexander Calder

Located in Saint Augustine, FL

Artist: Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976) Title: "Untitled (front cover)" Portfolio: Derrière le Miroir (No. 156) *Issued unsigned, though signed by Calder in the plate (printed signature) lower right Year: 1966 Medium: Original Lithograph on smooth wove paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: Arte Adrien Maeght, Paris, France Publisher: Galerie Maeght, Paris, France Sheet size: 14.75" x 11" Condition: In excellent condition Notes: Lithograph produced for the 1966 No. 156 "Derrière le Miroir" portfolio in conjunction with a special exhibition of Calder's work at Galerie Maeght, Paris, France in February of 1966 which featured 13 totems and 27 gouaches. The complete folio included a poem by Jacques Prévert and texts by Professor Meyer Schapiro, Alexander Calder, and Nicholas Guppy. Small spiral lithograph and text on verso as issued. In October 1945, the French art dealer Aimé Maeght opens his art gallery at 13 Rue de Téhéran in Paris. His beginning coincides with the end of Second World War and the return of a number of exiled artists back to France. The magazine Derriere Le Miroir was created in October 1946 and published without interruption until 1982. Maeght's ambition in establishing his print shop and his publication magazine Derriere Le Miroir was to make available to a broader audience less expensive printed imagery by the artists of his time, many whom were represented by his Paris gallery...

Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder portrait prints for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Alexander Calder portrait prints available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of portrait prints to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of purple, red, yellow and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Alexander Calder in lithograph, archival paper, etching and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Alexander Calder portrait prints, so small editions measuring 9 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Jim Dine, Jacques Villon, and Jean Jansem. Alexander Calder portrait prints prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $38,000, while the average work can sell for $1,331.
Questions About Alexander Calder Portrait Prints
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Alexander Calder’s artwork has found its home in many museums and art galleries around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim Museum. Shop a selection of Alexander Calder’s pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The American sculptor Alexander Calder invented the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. His mobiles were an innovative feat and initially used motors for movement, which he later abandoned for air currents alone. Calder was also a pioneer of wire sculptures. Shop a selection of Alexander Calder pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024
    Alexander Calder was famous for his work as an artist. The American sculptor is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. He also created large-scale sculptures that frequently involved kinetic elements. Some of his best-known works include Mobile (Arc of Petals), Cirque Calder, Josephine Baker (III), Fish and A Universe. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of Alexander Calder art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
    Most artists consider Alexander Calder to be a Kinetic artist rather than a Surrealist. The American sculptor is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms usually suspended from the ceiling. Calder also pioneered a new art form with wire sculptures, which he described as “drawings in space.” Like his famous mobiles, the wire sculptures were suspended so that they turned with any air movement, presenting different forms when viewed from different angles. Explore a diverse assortment of Alexander Calder art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    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. On 1stDibs, find a variety of vintage Alexander Calder drawings and other sculptures.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    American artist Alexander Calder is best known for his work in sculpture, particularly his monumental sculptures and innovative ‘mobiles’ in the tradition of kinetic art. Shop a collection of authentic Alexander Calder pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
    Alexander Calder mostly made sculptures, although he also worked in printmaking, painting, performance and other media. He is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. Some of his most famous works include Cirque Calder, A Universe, Josephine Baker (III), Mobile (Arc of Petals), Devil Fish, Romulus and Remus and Fish. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Alexander Calder art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Alexander Calder's mobiles were revolutionary because he largely pioneered the art form of creating hanging sculptures that were able to move freely in response to airflow. Calder was a prolific artist believed to have produced more than 22,000 works during his life. Shop a variety of Alexander Calder art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Alexander Calder is best known for his sculptures. He produced large, playful freestanding and hanging works in vibrant colors. Examples include Mobile-Stabile, Lobster Trap and Fish Tail and Flying Dragon. On 1stDibs, you can shop a selection of Alexander Calder art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
    How much an Alexander Calder mobile is worth depends on its historical significance, size, condition and other factors. In 2012, his 1945 piece Lily of Force sold for $18.5 million at auction in New York City. The American sculptor is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. 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. If you're in possession of a Calder mobile, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable art dealer can help you determine how much it may be worth. On 1stDibs, explore a range of Alexander Calder art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024
    Alexander Calder used many of the elements of art when producing his works. The American sculptor is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. These kinetic pieces use color, shape and space to convey a sense of unity, and the form of the art allows it to interact with its environment. Find a variety of Alexander Calder art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
    The art movement that Alexander Calder was connected to was kinetic art. The term refers to art that moves or has the appearance of movement. With their ability to sway and turn once suspended, Calder's mobiles are often referenced as examples of kinetic art. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Alexander Calder art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 3, 2024
    Alexander Calder invented the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. The revered American sculptor's mobiles were an innovative feat and initially used motors for movement, which he later abandoned for air currents alone. Calder was also a pioneer of wire sculptures. (He was a celebrated modernist printmaker, too, and while jewelry was a secondary métier for him, interest in his wearable art has accelerated in recent years.)

    For Calder, the fascinating moment of artistic alchemy comes sometime between his representational canvases of the late 1920s and 1931, the year of his first show of abstract sculpture. Moving to Paris helped spur his creativity, as it did for so many artists and writers. The moment Calder arrived, he began working on one of his most seminal pieces, Cirque Calder (1931), his delightful distillation of the circus into what are essentially three-dimensional line drawings made with wire. 

    Shop authentic Alexander Calder prints, sculptures and other art from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    There are several interpretations of how to describe the characteristics of Alexander Calder’s sculptures. Some say they are abstract, with life-like elements, others say they are flat, simplified shapes that intersect at opposing angles. See the magic for yourself — shop a selection of Alexander Calder pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The term ‘mobile’, which was coined by Marcel Duchamp, was used to describe Alexander Calder’s work, as Calder’s sculptures often moved with the help of motors or wind. ‘Mobiles’ was a French pun which meant ‘motion’. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original artwork from Alexander Calder.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024
    Alexander Calder produced more than 22,000 works of art during his lifetime. The prolific artist made paintings, drawings, prints, tapestries, stage sets, jewelry and other types of art. Some of his most famous pieces include Cirque Calder, Josephine Baker (III), A Universe, Mobile (Arc of Petals) and Devil Fish. Shop a diverse assortment of Alexander Calder art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Like all meaningful works of art, the mood that best describes American artist Alexander Calder’s sculptures is subject to interpretation. Common descriptors for his abstract work include “playful” or “whimsical.” Calder is best known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. Shop a selection of Alexander Calder pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.