1975
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.
$12,000
H 40 in W 54 in
"Les Pyramides Grandes" framed signed lithograph by Alexander Calder. Edition EA
By Alexander Calder
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"Les Pyramides Grandes" framed geometric abstract lithograph of pyramids by Alexander Calder. Hand-lettered EA on lower left front. Hand-signed C...
Lithograph
Alexander Calder -- Horizontal Pyramides
By Alexander Calder
Located in BRUCE, ACT
Alexander Calder Horizontal Pyramides, 1974 Lithograph Hand Signed lower right Numbered 84/100 lower left Sheet size 57× 78 cm Published by Bank Street Atelier, New York, to benefi...
Lithograph
$10,000
H 29 in W 37 in D 1 in
Homage to Euclid (Composition IX), Hand Signed Lithograph, 84/100, Framed, 1976
By Alexander Calder
Located in Aventura, FL
Homage to Euclid (Composition IX) from La Mémoire Élémentaire. Lithograph in colors on Arches paper. Hand signed by Alexander Calder lower right. Hand numbered 84/100 lower left (...
Paper, 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...
Lithograph
$10,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 38 in W 30.5 in D 1.5 in
Signed Abstract Geometric Pyramids Lithograph, 10/125, 1970s
By Alexander Calder
Located in Naples, Florida
Signed and numbered 10/125 This composition presents a field of sharply angled, pyramidal forms that appear to float across a light ground. Bold planes of red, yellow, blue, and bla...
Paper, Lithograph
$680
H 14.57 in W 11.03 in D 0.04 in
Trangle et Quadrilatere - Lithograph by Alexander Calder - 1973
By Alexander Calder
Located in Roma, IT
Trangle et Quadrilatere is a Lithograph realized in 1973 by Alexander Calder. From Derrière Le Miroir. Very good condition including a white cardboard passpartout (52 x 41 cm). Al...
Lithograph
$446
H 11.03 in W 14.97 in D 0.04 in
Composition - Lithograph Print After Alexander Calder - 1968
By Alexander Calder
Located in Roma, IT
Composition is a lithograph print realized after Alexander Calder in 1968. The artwork shows abstract shapes in vivid colors is typical of the artist's style. Good conditions with slight foxing and a very small cut on the lower. On the back of the artwork there is a description. Alexander Calder ( July 22, 1898 – November 11...
Lithograph
$10,500
H 20.48 in W 28.35 in
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...
Lithograph
$352
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
$545
H 21.25 in W 17.25 in
Alexander Calder Modern Lithograph, Unsigned, 1968, Framed, Derriere Le Miroir
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Plate 3 Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #173 Medium: Lithograph Date: 1968 Edition: Unnumbered Frame Size: 21 1/4" x 17 1/4" Sheet Size: 15" x 11" Image...
Lithograph
Damier, Abstract Lithograph by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Alexander Calder, American (1898 - 1976) Title: Damier from Derriere Le Miroir Year: 1966 Medium: Lithograph Size: 14.5 x 10.5 in. (36.83 x 26.67 cm) Frame Size: 23 x 19 inches
Lithograph
Stabiles Study from Derrier le Miroir, Abstract Lithograph by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Alexander Calder, American (1898–1976) Study for Sculpture II from Derriere Le Miroir Date: 1975 Lithograph Size: 15 in. x 22 in. (38.1 cm x 55.88 cm) Frame Size: 23 x 30 inches Prin...
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
La Vague, Modern Geometric Poster by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Alexander Calder, American (1898 - 1976) - La Vague. Year: 1971, Medium: Poster, Size: 35 x 22.5 in. (88.9 x 57.15 cm)
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
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
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.
