Composition X, from The Elementary Memory La mémoire élémentaire
View Similar Items
Alexander Calder Composition X, from The Elementary Memory La mémoire élémentaire1976
1976
About the Item
- Creator:Alexander Calder (1898 - 1976, American)
- Creation Year:1976
- Dimensions:Height: 20.5 in (52.07 cm)Width: 28.4 in (72.14 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1805750402
Alexander Calder
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.
- Sheet CornerBy Gerhard RichterLocated in London, GBGERHARD RICHTER b. 1932 Born in Dresden 1932 (German) Title: Sheet Corner Blattecke. 1967 Technique: Original Hand Signed, Dated and Numbered Offset Lithograph in Colour on Thin C...Category
1960s Realist More Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- The Admiral’s BallBy Raoul DufyLocated in London, GBRAOUL DUFY 1877-1953 Le Havre 1877-1953 Forcalquier (French) Title: The Admiral’s Ball Le Bal chez l'amiral, ca. 1925 Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Lithograph on Wove Paper Paper size: 32.5 x 39.5 cm. / 12.8 x 15.6 in. Image size: 20.5 x 29 cm. / 8.1 x 11.4 in. Additional Information: This original lithograph is hand signed in pencil by the artist "R Dufy...Category
1920s Post-Impressionist More Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- A Pale Angel’s Halo, from: Reality and ParadoxesBy James RosenquistLocated in London, GBJAMES ROSENQUIST 1933-1917 Grand Forks, North Dakota 1933 – 1917 New York (American) Title: A Pale Angel’s Halo, from: Reality and Paradoxes, 1973 Technique: Original Hand Signed, ...Category
1970s Pop Art More Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- The PainterBy Marcel GromaireLocated in London, GBMARCEL GROMAIRE 1892-1971 Noyelles-sur-Sambre 1892-1971 Paris (French) Title: The Painter / Le Peintre, 1943 Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbere...Category
1940s Cubist More Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- CompositionBy Mikhail LarionovLocated in London, GBMIKHAIL LARIONOV 1881-1964 Tiraspol 1881 - Fontenay-Aux-Roses/Paris 1964 (Russian) Title: Composition, 1923 Technique: Original Lithograph in Colours on paper size: 50 x 34 cm / 1...Category
1920s Contemporary More Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- If, from: Etc.; If; South; Question & AnswerBy Ed RuschaLocated in London, GBED (Edward) RUSCHA (born 1937) 1937 Omaha, Nebraska (American) Title: If, from: Etc.; If; South; Question & Answer, 1991 Technique: Original Hand Signed, Dated and Numbered Lit...Category
1990s Pop Art More Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Original 'Soccer' vintage lithograph posters a.k.a. "Heads Up", SpainLocated in Spokane, WAOriginal Soccer vintage sports poster. Linen backed in very good condition, ready to frame. Printed by Ortega Company in Valencia. This type of untitled vintage poster was commo...Category
1960s Kinetic Figurative Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Silkscreen by Yaacov AgamBy Yaacov AgamLocated in Tel Aviv, ILYaacov Agam, Silkscreen, Colored work, International artist, Israeli artist, Israeli art. Yaacov Agam’s polymorph is a unique example of geometric and kinetic art that changes as the...Category
Late 20th Century Kinetic Mixed Media
MaterialsSilk, Screen, Color
- Apollo and DaphneBy George RickeyLocated in New York, NYA superb, richly-inked impression of this extremely scarce, early etching, aquatint and engraving with hand coloring in watercolor on cream wove paper. Colors are strong with crisp, ...Category
1940s Kinetic Abstract Prints
MaterialsWatercolor, Engraving, Etching, Aquatint
- The Agam Passover Haggadah - Gold EditionBy Yaacov AgamLocated in Jerusalem, ILA Passover Haggadah, made by the artist Yaacov Agam. 58 original serigraphs, pulled by hand on Rivs 270 Gr. (Arjomarie-Prioux) by Atelier Arcay in Paris, 1985. All color separations ...Category
1980s Kinetic More Prints
MaterialsPaper, Color
- Victor Vasarely (after) - StencilBy Victor VasarelyLocated in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CHVictor Vasarely (after) - pochoir print by Daniel Jacomet Published in the deluxe art review, XXe Siecle 1958 Dimensions: 32 x 25 cm Publisher: G. di San Lazzaro. Victor Vasarely...Category
1950s Kinetic Abstract Prints
MaterialsStencil
- Tyre, From the Isthmus: Roberts' 19th C. Hand-colored LithographBy David RobertsLocated in Alamo, CAThis is an original 19th century hand-colored lithograph entitled "Tsur Ancient Tyre, From the Isthmus, April 27, 1839" by David Roberts from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large...Category
1840s Realist Interior Prints
MaterialsLithograph
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Renowned for His Mobiles, Alexander Calder Was Also Adept at Crafting Modernist Jewelry
There are no sparkling gemstones on this necklace, but its value far exceeds the cost of its materials.
10 Must-Visit American Public Sculptures
Get your dose of Vitamin D while surveying works by the likes of Alexander Calder, Keith Haring and Pablo Picasso.