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Alexander Calder
Alexander Calder, The Moon and the Prickly Pig, from Derriere le Miroir, 1963

1963

$796
$99520% Off
£608.80
£76120% Off
€696.71
€870.8920% Off
CA$1,132.93
CA$1,416.1620% Off
A$1,226.63
A$1,533.2920% Off
CHF 652.14
CHF 815.1820% Off
MX$14,793.99
MX$18,492.4920% Off
NOK 8,201.06
NOK 10,251.3220% Off
SEK 7,645.72
SEK 9,557.1520% Off
DKK 5,203.55
DKK 6,504.4420% Off

About the Item

This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled La lune et porc qui pique (The Moon and the Prickly Pig), originates from the historic 1963 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 141. Published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, under the direction of Aime Maeght, and printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris, this composition exemplifies Calder’s masterful balance of spontaneity, rhythm, and geometry. In La lune et porc qui pique (The Moon and the Prickly Pig), Calder translates movement and emotion into a lyrical abstraction, capturing the interplay of color and form through his distinctive palette of red, blue, yellow, and black. Executed on velin paper, this lithograph measures 15 x 22 inches (38.1 x 55.9 cm), with centerfold, as issued. As issued, it is unsigned and unnumbered, consistent with the authorized publication format. The edition preserves Calder’s dynamic sense of balance, structure, and motion, affirming his genius for translating rhythm and energy into visual form. Artwork Details: Artist: Alexander Calder (1898–1976) Title: La lune et porc qui pique (The Moon and the Prickly Pig), from Derriere le Miroir, No. 141, 1963 Medium: Lithograph on velin paper Dimensions: 15 x 22 inches (38.1 x 55.9 cm), with centerfold, as issued Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered, as issued Date: 1963 Publisher: Maeght Editeur, Paris Printer: Mourlot Freres, Paris Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium Provenance: From the 1963 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 141, published by Maeght Editeur, Paris Notes: Excerpted from the folio (translated from French), The illustrations on the cover and pages 2, 7, 12–13, 18, 20–21, and 23 of this issue of Derriere le Miroir are original lithographs by Calder, drawn in the workshops of Mourlot Freres, Paris. The four-color separations were produced by Bussiere AG; composition by Typelec. A luxury edition on velin d’Arches was printed in an edition of CL examples, numbered and signed by the artist. About the Publication: Derriere le Miroir (translated as “Behind the Mirror”) was an iconic French art periodical published from 1946 to 1982 by Maeght Editeur, one of the most influential art publishers of the 20th century. Founded by Aime Maeght in Paris, the publication was conceived as a visual and literary collaboration between leading modern artists, poets, and critics. Each issue functioned as both an exhibition catalogue and a work of art in itself—featuring original lithographs printed directly from the artists’ stones or plates, alongside essays, poems, and critical commentary. Over the course of 36 years, Derriere le Miroir produced more than 250 issues and showcased an extraordinary roster of artists including Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Joan Miro, Georges Braque, Alexander Calder, Fernand Leger, Pierre Bonnard, Alberto Giacometti, and Eduardo Chillida. Printed in the ateliers of Mourlot and Arte, the periodical set new standards for quality in color lithography, combining fine art printing with elegant typography and poetic text. Beyond its visual brilliance, Derriere le Miroir also became a cultural chronicle of postwar European modernism. Each issue coincided with exhibitions held at Galerie Maeght, providing a collectible and widely accessible record of groundbreaking shows. Its integration of image, text, and philosophy created a dialogue between art and literature that elevated the modern art book to new aesthetic heights. Today, Derriere le Miroir remains one of the most sought-after and historically significant art publications, prized by collectors and scholars alike for its craftsmanship, influence, and its role in defining the visual language of 20th-century modernism. The Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul-de-Vence continues to honor this legacy through exhibitions and archival preservation of the series, affirming Derriere le Miroir’s enduring place in the history of modern art and fine art publishing. About the Artist: Alexander Calder (1898–1976) was an American sculptor whose inventive use of motion, balance, and abstract form revolutionized 20th-century sculpture. Born into a family of artists, Calder studied engineering before embracing art, applying a mechanical sensibility to create kinetic “mobiles” and stable “stabiles” that defy static tradition. In Paris during the 1920s and ’30s, he connected with avant-garde figures such as Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray, contributing to the evolving dialogue of modern art. Calder’s work resonates within the arc of 20th- and 21st-century creativity: from his contemporaries Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Georges Braque, and Wassily Kandinsky—each expanding visual language—to later icons such as Banksy, Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, and Jasper Johns, who pushed image, concept, and market reach. Calder’s sculptures, drawings, and designs remain central in collections worldwide, from MoMA and the Guggenheim in New York to the Tate, Centre Pompidou, and beyond. In May 2014 at Christie’s New York, Calder’s Poisson volant (Flying Fish) (1957) sold for approximately $25.93 million USD, establishing the highest known auction price attained for his work. Alexander Calder lithograph, Calder La lune et porc qui pique (The Moon and the Prickly Pig), Calder Derriere le Miroir, Calder Maeght Editeur Paris, Calder Mourlot Freres, Calder 1963 edition, Calder modernist print, Calder kinetic abstraction, Calder collectible lithograph, Calder American sculptor, Calder Maeght Paris publication.
  • Creator:
    Alexander Calder (1898 - 1976, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1963
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)Width: 22 in (55.88 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Southampton, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1465216708392

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