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Alexander Calder Art

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.

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Artist: Alexander Calder
Alexander Calder lithograph (derrière le miroir)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Alexander Calder Lithograph c. 1964 from Derrière le miroir: Lithograph in colors; 15 x 11 inches. Very good overall vintage condition; well-preserved. Unsigned from an edition of unknown. From: Derrière le miroir. Printed in France. Derrière le miroir: 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 publication was created in October 1946 (n°1) and published without interruption until 1982 (n°253). Its original articles and illustrations (mainly original color lithographs by the gallery artists) who were famous at the time. The lithographic publication covered only the artists exhibited by Maeght gallery either through personal or group exhibitions. Among them were, Pierre Alechinsky, Francis Bacon, Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Eduardo Chillida, Alberto Giacometti, Vassily Kandinsky, Ellsworth Kelly, Fernand Léger, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Saul Steinberg and Antoni Tapies. _ Alexander Calder was an American artist best known for his invention of the kinetic sculptures known as mobiles. Calder also produced a variety of two-dimensional artworks including lithographs, paintings, and tapestries as seen in his Butterfly (1970). “My whole theory about art is the disparity that exists between form, masses, and movement,” the artist once said. Born on August 22, 1898 in Lawnton, PA, Calder turned to art in the 1920s, studying drawing and painting under George Luks and Boardman Robinson at the Art Students League in New York. Calder moved to Paris to continue his studies in 1926, where he was introduced to the European avant-garde through performances of his Cirque Calder (1926–1931). “I was very fond of the spatial relations,” he said of his interest in the circus. “The whole thing of the—the vast space—I’ve always loved it.” With these performances, along with his wire sculptures, Calder attracted the attention of such notable figures as Marcel Duchamp, Jean Arp, and Fernand Léger. Notably, it was his friend Duchamp that coined the term mobile—a pun in French meaning both “motion” and “motive”—during a visit to Calder’s Paris studio in 1931. His earliest mobiles moved by motors, but Calder soon abandoned these mechanics and designed pieces that moved by air currents or human interaction. Over the course of seven decades, along with his mobiles, he also produced paintings, monumental outdoor sculptures, works on paper, domestic objects, and jewelry. The artist lived in both Roxbury, CT, and Saché, France, before his death on November 11, 1976 in New York, NY. Today, his works are held in the collections of The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Tate Gallery in London. Related Categories Calder prints. Mid Century Modern. 1970s. Miro. Chagall. Calder lithograph. Figurative art. Alexander Calder Derrière...
Category

1960s Contemporary Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Theatre Du Soleil
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Title: Theatre du Soleil Lithograph in colors on cream wove paper Edition: 17/125 Signed and numbered in pencil near the lower edge: Calder; titled in pencil verso Image: 19.25" H x ...
Category

1970s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled
By Alexander Calder
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Untitled Color lithograph, 1963 Unsigned (as issued) From:Derriere le Miroir, Volume 141 Large unsigned edition Printed by Mourlot, Paris Published by Aime Maeght, Paris Condition: C...
Category

1960s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

BLACK CHAIR (ORIGINAL GOUACHE)
By Alexander Calder
Located in Aventura, FL
Original gouache and ink painting on paper. Hand signed and dated by Alexander Calder. Executed in 1969, this work is registered in the archives of the Calder Foundation, New York,...
Category

1960s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Paper, Ink, Gouache

Spider s Nest
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976) Spider's Nest, 1975 Signed: Calder (Lower, Right) Lithograph in Colors on Wove Paper Sheet Size: 29 1/2" × 43" Numbered: XIX/L in Roman Numeral...
Category

1970s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled (Plate 4) DLM
By Alexander Calder
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Untitled (Plate 7) DLM Color lithograph, 1963 Unsigned (as issued) From: Derriere le Miroir, No. 141 Edition: 1500? Published by A. Maeght, Paris Condition: Mint Sheet/Image size: 1...
Category

1960s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Sun and Sea
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Sun and Sea Signed and numbered in pencil Color lithograph 22.75 x 30.75 inches Edition 88 of 150
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Fêtes
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Complete set of 7 color aquatints on Arches. The deluxe edition of 25 signed by Calder and numbered, aside from the unsigned edition of 150. Each but one of the aquatints signed and ...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Color, Aquatint

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...
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled, from: Graphic Portfolio University of St. Gallen 1963-66 - Kinetic
By Alexander Calder
Located in London, GB
This original lithograph in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist “Calder” at the lower right image. It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 150, at the lowe...
Category

1960s Kinetic Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder - Transworld Art International Art Fair, Tel Aviv, 1977 poster
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Offset lithograph poster published by the Transworld Art Fair in Tel Aviv The work depicted in the image is Calder's "Boomerang", 1973 Plate (printed) signature Unframed ALEXANDER CA...
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph, Offset

L Etoile Rouge (The Red Star)
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Lithograph in colors on Arches paper Published by George J. Goodstadt, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (with their blindstamp) 29.5 x 41.3 inches Signed and numbered in pencil, editio...
Category

1970s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Escargot
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Alexander Calder’s ‘Escargot’ lithograph showcases his playful yet sophisticated approach to abstraction, combining organic form with bold color and dynamic composition. The title, w...
Category

1960s Abstract Expressionist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph


Escargot

Escargot
$14,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Alexander Calder Lithograph Derriere le miroir (Calder prints)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Vintage original Alexander Calder Three Legged Man Lithograph 1975: Lithograph in colors. 15 x 11 inches. Very good overall vintage condition. Unsigned from an edition of unknown. ...
Category

1970s Contemporary Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled, 1947
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976) “Untitled, 1947” (from Le Surrealisme) Signed in the plate, lower left Lithograph in Colors on Wove Paper Sheet Size: 9 7/16 x 8" (24 x 20.3 cm...
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1940s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder Abstract Lithograph, 1966, Framed, Derriere Le Miroir #156
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Alexander Calder Derriere le Miroir #156 (Plate 1) Artist: Alexander Calder Title: (Plate 1) Derriere le Miroir #156 Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #156 Medium: Original lithograph Ye...
Category

1960s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Ballons Dégoulinés (Bulles D air)
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Alexander Calder, Ballons Dégoulinés (Bulles D'air), 1969 Signed and numbered in pencil, from an edition of 75 Framing: Although it is currently framed, it is being sold unframed. ...
Category

1960s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - from "Derrière le miroir"
By Alexander Calder
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Alexander Calder - Original Lithograph - from "Derriere le Miroir"Behind the Mirror 1976 Framed Dimensions: 38 x 56 cm Source: Derrière le miroir (DLM), n°141, 1976 Alexander Cald...
Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Two Acrobats from Derriere le Miroir, Modern Lithograph by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Alexander Calder, American (1898 - 1976) Title: Two Acrobats from Derriere le Miroir Year: 1975 Medium: Lithograph Size: 15 in. x 11 in. (38.1 cm x 27.94 cm) Frame Size: 23 x...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Cover, from Derriere le Miroir #173
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Cover, from Derriere le Miroir #173 Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #173 Medium: Lithograph Date: 1968 Edition: Un...
Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Bobine
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Bobine" is a gouache and ink on paper by Alexander Calder. The work is signed in the lower right "Calder 72". A12922 Although renowned for his innovative and groundbreaking sculptures, Alexander Calder started his artistic career as an abstract painter, preferring to use gouache. What is gouache? Gouache is a water-soluble paint – a type of opaque watercolor. As Calder returned to gouache painting towards the end of his life, he was now armed with a lifetime of experience as a sculptor. He explored the three-dimensional vocabulary of sculptural forms he had developed onto the two-dimensional surface of the paper. Certain shapes and colors recur throughout his gouaches and sculptures. Circles, ovals, and other geometric forms dominate the space. There is the same sense of energy and fluidity. The shapes do not sit on the surface but vibrate giving a feeling of movement in contrast to the static nature of painting. Like his sculpture, Calder’s gouache...
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Paper, Ink, Gouache

Composition XI, from The Elementary Memory - American Kinetic Art
By Alexander Calder
Located in London, GB
This original lithograph in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist “Calder” at the lower right image. It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition 39 of 100, at the l...
Category

1970s Kinetic Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder Abstract Lithograph, Unsigned, 1968, Derriere le Miroir #173
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Derriere le Miroir #173 Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #173 Medium: Lithograph Year: 1968 Edition: Unnumbered Sheet Size: 15" x 11" Image Size: 15" x 1...
Category

1960s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Stabiles
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Alexander Calder Stabiles, circa 1970 Color lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil from an edition of 150 Published by Maeght éditeur, Paris; printed at Atelier Fernand Mourlot...
Category

1970s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Vintage 1970s Alexander Calder poster (Calder prints)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Alexander Calder 'La Grenouille et Cie' Vintage original 1971 poster for the exhibition Pace Columbus (Ohio) featuring a printed Calder signature. Medium: Offset lithograph Dimensions: 25 x 32 inches An original 1st printing in very good vintage condition. Plate signed on the lower right from an edition of unknown. This is an original 1970s poster and not a recent reproduction of any kind. Related Categories Calder prints. Calder Mid Century Modern. 60s. Alexander Calder and Contemporary Art. Calder figurative. Vintage Calder.
Category

1970s Contemporary Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph, Offset

Spirale Nebula
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Spirale Nebula, 1970 Lithograph in colors on wove paper Printed by Mourlot, Paris 29.5 x 43.3 inches Signed and numbered in pencil, edition of 100 copies Professionally framed Alex...
Category

1970s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Spirale Nebula
Spirale Nebula
$9,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Tempete
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Signed and dated
Category

1970s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

McGovern for McGovernment - Lithograph by Alexander Calder - 1973
By Alexander Calder
Located in Roma, IT
McGovern for McGovernment is a contemporary artwork realized by Alexander Calder. Color lithograph on paper, ed. EA., aside of an Edition of 200 Hand Signed on the lower right marg...
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Soucoupes Volantes (Saucers)
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Soucoupes Volantes (Saucers)" is an abstract Post War gouache painting by Alexander Calder in 1965. The artwork is 42 1/4 x 29 5/8 inches and is 49 1/4 x 35 1/2 x 1 7/8 inches with ...
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Gouache

Alexander Calder Abstract Lithograph, Unnumbered, Derriere le Miroir #201
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Medium: Lithograph Title: Cover Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #201 Year: 1973 Edition: Unnumbered Framed Size: 21 3/4" x 17 3/4" Sheet Size: 15" x 11" Signe...
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder Braniff Airways Oil on Crescent Watercolor Board 1973
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Alexander Calder (1898-1976) Braniff Airways Oil on Crescent watercolor board, 1973. Signed and dated lower right, inscribed in ink in an unknown hand to verso "Painted by A. Calder...
Category

1970s Contemporary Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Oil

Alexander Calder - Spirale Millepiedi - Hand-Signed Lithography, 1972
By Alexander Calder
Located in Varese, IT
Alexander Calder ( 1898 - 1976 ) - Spirale millepiedi - hand-signed lithography, 1972 Additional information: Material: color lithography on paper Edited in 1972 Limited edition in ...
Category

20th Century Pop Art Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Flying Colors : Plane under Red Sun - Original lithograph
By Alexander Calder
Located in Paris, IDF
Alexander CALDER Flying Colors : Plane under Red Sun, 1976 Original lithograph Printed signature in the plate On light vellum 58 x 83 cm (c. 23 x 33 in) INFORMATION : Calder create...
Category

1970s American Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder Modern Lithograph, Unsigned, 1975, Framed, Derriere Le Miroir
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Plate 4 Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #212 Medium: Lithograph Date: 1975 Edition: Unnumbered Frame Size: 21 1/4" x 17 1/4" Sheet Size: 15" x 11" Image...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Balloons - Original lithograph - Mourlot, 1971
By Alexander Calder
Located in Paris, IDF
Alexander Calder Balloons and Color Mosaic, 1971 Original Lithograph (4 color stones) Printed in Mourlot workshop On vellum 31 x 24 cm (c. 12,2 x 9,5 in) Edited by San Lazzaro in 1...
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

McGovern for McGovernment, Hand Signed by BOTH Calder and George McGovern Framed
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Alexander Calder McGovern for McGovernment (Signed by BOTH Alexander Calder and George McGovern), 1972 Lithograph on wove paper with deckled edges. Hand signed and Numbered by Calder...
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Pencil, Lithograph

Vintage 1970s Alexander Calder lithograph (Calder three legged man)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Vintage original 1970s Alexander Calder Lithograph: 11x15 inches. Very good overall vintage condition. Unsigned from an edition of unknown. Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir. Derrièr...
Category

1970s Pop Art Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled, from Derriere le Miroir #173
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Medium: Lithograph Title: Untitled Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #173 Year: 1968 Edition: Unnumbered Signed: Unsigned Sheet Size: 15" x 22" Image Size: 15" x...
Category

1960s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Seascape
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976) “Seascape”, 1974 Lithograph in Colors on Wove Paper Signed: Calder (Lower, Right) Sheet Size: 39 3/5 × 28 in Marked “EA”, apart from an editio...
Category

1970s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Directions
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A painting by Alexander Calder. "Directions" is a Post-War abstract painting, gouache and ink on paper in bold colors of reds, blacks, yellows, and oranges by artist Alexander Calder...
Category

Mid-20th Century Post-War Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Ink, Gouache

Pinwheels and Pyramids with Circles
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...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Le Point de Non-Retour
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Le Point de Non-Retour, 1969 Signed and numbered in pencil Lithograph in colors on wove paper 20 x 28.25 inches Edition 60 of 100
Category

1960s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Vive
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A painting by Alexander Calder. "Vive" is a Post-War abstract painting, gouache and ink on paper in bold colors of reds, blacks, and blues by artist Alexander Calder. The artwork is signed lower right, "Calder 72...
Category

Mid-20th Century Post-War Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Ink, Gouache

Galactic Systems
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Lithograph in colors on Arches paper, full sheet Published by Éditions de la Différence, Paris 20.4 x 28.3 inches Signed and numbered in pencil, from an edition of 100 copies Conditi...
Category

1970s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Le Noble Chevalier, 1960
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976) “Le Noble Chevalier, 1960” Lithograph in Colors on Velin de Rives paper Sheet Size: 11” x 16” (27.94 x 40.64 cm) Printed by Maeght Editeur, Par...
Category

1960s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Elephants, from Our Unfinished Revolution
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Elephants, 1975 - from Our Unfinished Revolution portfolio Lithograph in colors, on Arches paper, the full sheet Published by Alba Editions, New York, and printed by Mourlot, Paris...
Category

1970s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Red Petals, Blue Moon
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A painting by Alexander Calder. "Red and Black Spiral" is a Post-War abstract painting, gouache and ink on paper in bold colors of reds, blacks and blues by artist Alexander Calder. The artwork is signed lower right, "Calder 72...
Category

Mid-20th Century Post-War Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Ink, Gouache

Oignons Croises Original Gouache Painting by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Gouache and ink on paper; Signed "Calder 65" Calder Foundation Registration #A11309 Provenance: Galerie Maeght, Paris 1965; J.L. Hudson Co., Detroit, 1969; Private collection, IL 19...
Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Gouache

Sketch for The X Its Tails . 1967
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palo Alto, CA
This work is registered as an authentic work by Alexander Calder (1898 – 1976) in the archives of the Calder Foundation (NY), under application number A.24492.  Created in 1967, this original pen and red ink drawing on paper is initialed ‘CA’ in blue ink in the lower right by Alexander Calder (1898 – 1976) with a handwritten dedication, also in blue ink, ‘To Alvin Lane’ along the lower center. The Sketch for ‘The X & Its Tails’ is an original study and preliminary drawing made by Calder preceding his large-scale sculpture for the Detroit Institute of Arts.  Sketches for models and sculptures are rare and this is no exception; according to Alvin S. Lane, collector and friend to Calder, “To the best of my knowledge there were very few, if any, preliminary drawings done by Calder that were on the market, but he was good enough when he did two for commissions to send the drawings to me as a present [including this Sketch for ‘The X & Its Tails’].  I included one of them here to show that although his drawings usually have a flowing steady line, his preliminary drawings are sloppy scribbles” (23). Provenance: ~       Gift of artist ~       Private Collection (Riverdale, NJ) Catalogue Raisonné and COA: Sketch for 'The X & Its Tails,' 1967 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the final sale of the work). 1. Registered with the Calder Foundation, NY under application number A.24492. 2. Elvehjem Museum of Art. The Terese and Alvin S. Lane Collection...
Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Ink, Pen

Jeune Fillet et sa Suite
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Alexander Calder’s ‘Jeune Fillette et sa Suite’ lithograph reflects his signature style of playful abstraction while offering a whimsical portrayal of human figures through simplifie...
Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

UNTITLED (GIRAFFE)
By Alexander Calder
Located in Aventura, FL
Original crayon and pencil drawing on cut-out paper mounted on board. Hand signed with artist's initials CA. Executed in 1966, this work is registered in the archives of the Calder...
Category

1960s Surrealist Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Paper, Crayon, Pencil

"Lion Tamer" framed signed lithograph by Alexander Calder. Edition EA of 100.
By Alexander Calder
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"Lion Tamer" lithograph by Alexander Calder. Hand-lettered EA in lower left front corner. Hand-signed Calder in lower right front corner. From an ed...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder - L’albero Del Bene E Del Male - Hand-Signed Lithography, 1975
By Alexander Calder
Located in Varese, IT
Alexander Calder ( 1898 - 1976 ) - L’albero del bene e del male - hand-signed lithography, 1975 Additional information: Material: color lithography on paper Edited in 1975 Limited e...
Category

20th Century Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Tornado in Space
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A drawing by Alexander Calder. "Tornado in Space" is a Post-War abstract drawing, ink on paper in black and white by artist Alexander Calder. The artwork is s...
Category

Early 20th Century Post-War Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Ink

Three Pyramids + Blue Ball
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Three Pyramids + Blue Ball" is a gouache on paper by Alexander Calder. The work is signed in the lower right, "Calder 73”. Although renowned for his innovative and groundbreaking sculptures, Alexander Calder started his artistic career as an abstract painter, preferring to use gouache. What is gouache? Gouache is a water-soluble paint – a type of opaque watercolor. As Calder returned to gouache painting towards the end of his life, he was now armed with a lifetime of experience as a sculptor. He explored the three-dimensional vocabulary of sculptural forms he had developed onto the two-dimensional surface of the paper. Certain shapes and colors recur throughout his gouaches and sculptures. Circles, ovals, and other geometric forms dominate the space. There is the same sense of energy and fluidity. The shapes do not sit on the surface but vibrate giving a feeling of movement in contrast to the static nature of painting. Like his sculpture, Calder’s gouache...
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Paper, Ink, Gouache

La Récolte (Harvest)
By Alexander Calder
Located in Miami, FL
Aquatint (etching) on Rives BFK paper Maeght Editeur, Paris 24.75 x 35 inches Signed in pencil, "HC" apart from the edition of 90 Professionally framed...
Category

1960s Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Etching

rare Maeght sculpted holiday card 1968 - collectors item mid century modern art
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Alexander Calder rare Maeght sculpted holiday card, 1968 Hand made sculpted paper collage on paper with embossing Embossed artist's monogram 10 × 7 × 6 1/2 inches This rare, fold-ou...
Category

1960s Contemporary Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media, Laid Paper, Lithograph, Offset

"Sketch for the Spinner" Alexander Calder, Preliminary Drawing for Mobile
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Alexander Calder Preliminary drawing for the Spinner, 1966 Signed lower right Felt tip pen on paper Overall 27 x 15 1/2 inches Individual sheets 8 x 10 1/2 inches Alexander Calder ...
Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Paper, Felt Pen

Alexander Calder, Untitled, from Derriere le miroir, 1966
By Alexander Calder
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 156, originates from the 1966 edition published by Mae...
Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Art

Materials

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...
Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Geometric Alexander Calder Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Alexander Calder art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of orange, red, yellow and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Alexander Calder in lithograph, paint, gouache and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Alexander Calder art, so small editions measuring 5 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Sam Francis, Teodora Guererra, and Robert Motherwell. Alexander Calder art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $150 and tops out at $2,850,000, while the average work can sell for $1,331.

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Questions About 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 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 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 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. 

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  • 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 ExpertJune 6, 2024
    The exact number of works of art Calder made isn't known. Over the course of his life, the prolific artist produced at least 600 sculptures, including more than 20 monumental outdoor works. In addition, he made thousands of oil paintings, prints and drawings. Calder even crafted jewelry and toys. Shop a variety of Alexander Calder art 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
    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.
  • 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 ExpertOctober 24, 2024
    Many art lovers believe that lithographs are worth investing in. Lithographs tend to be more painterly than other printing techniques, and many postwar and contemporary painters have collaborated with lithographic workshops to push their practices in new directions. Collectors of lithographs can add prints from a wide range of artists to their collections. Some artists known for working with the technique include Théodore Gericault, Eugène Delacroix, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Honoré Daumier, Henri Matisse, Alphonse Mucha and M.C. Escher.

    However, whether or not it’s worth investing in lithographs is totally subjective! At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection.

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  • 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
    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 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 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 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 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.