Skip to main content

Alexander Calder Paintings

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
1
14
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
15
2
13
2
9
6
1
1
1
1
1
15
15
15
13
3
310
789
695
656
577
4
15
Artist: Alexander Calder
Untitled
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Untitled" is an abstract Post War gouache on paper by Alexander Calder in 1970. The artwork is 29 1/2 x 43 1/4 inches and is 36 1/2 x 50 1/8 x 1 1/4 inches with the frame, weighing ...
Category

20th Century Post-War Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Rouge Mouille (A00963)
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Rouge Mouille (A00963)" is an abstract Post War gouache and ink on paper work 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 inche...
Category

20th Century Post-War Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Gouache

Zigzag Sun and Crags
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A painting by Alexander Calder. "Zigzag Sun and Crags" 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 Paintings

Materials

Ink, Gouache

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

Mid-20th Century Post-War Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Ink, Gouache

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 Paintings

Materials

Ink, Gouache

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 Paintings

Materials

Ink, Gouache

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

Mid-20th Century Post-War Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Ink, Gouache

"Rire jaune" 1976 signed gouache and ink on paper artwork by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Gouache and ink on paper artwork of horses by Alexander Calder framed under glass in gold leaf frame. Signed and dated "Calder 76" in lower right corner....
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Ink, Gouache, Paper

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

Mid-20th Century Post-War Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Ink, Gouache

Cercles
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An artwork by Alexander Calder. "Cercles" is an abstract painting, gouache and ink on paper in bold colors of reds, blues, and blacks by Post-War, American artist Alexander Calder. T...
Category

Late 20th Century Post-War Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Ink, Gouache

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

Mid-20th Century Post-War Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Ink, Gouache

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 Paintings

Materials

Ink, Gouache

L' Envolee
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A painting by Alexander Calder. "L'Envolee" is a Post-War abstract painting, gouache and ink on paper in bold colors of reds and blacks by artist Alexander Calder. The artwork is sig...
Category

Mid-20th Century Post-War Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Ink, Gouache

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

Mid-20th Century Post-War Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Ink, Gouache

Dice, Gouache Painting by Alexander Calder 1974
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Dice Year: 1974 Medium: Gouache on Canson Lavis Paper, signed and dated lower right (titled, verso) Paper Size: 29 x 42 inches Frame: 37 x 51 inches ...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Gouache

Related Items
Bold Graphic Abstract Expressionist Mixed Media Painting Richard Snyder NYC Art
Located in Surfside, FL
Richard Snyder (American, born 1951) Untitled Mixed media painting including charcoal and watercolor Hand signed to lower right Dimensions: 30.0" W x 22.5" H x 0.1" D Richard Snyder is particularly known for his large-scale abstract expressionist paintings exhibiting vibrant colors, often applied in an irregular manner with large gestural brushstrokes. He also was an accomplished sculptor and was amongst the downtown New York art-furniture scene spawned in the 1980s by the Soho gallery ‘Art et Industrie’ founded by Rick Kaufmann. Downtown New York, circa 1977-1980 was a hothouse of creative impulses that flew in the face of restrictions and ran headlong toward riotous expression. Punk, hip-hop, graffiti or neo-expressionism, Kaufmann looked around for new talent that could create a new kind of art furniture. He felt the design of the day was so standardised, and he wanted to give voice to young artists and bring new ideas to market. After receiving a BFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Snyder made his career in the fields of art and design, practicing sculpture, painting, furniture design and fabrication, interior design, cabinetmaking, construction and industrial design. Along with extensive experience in a wide variety of materials and processes, Snyder also possesses a wide range of visual and experiential vocabulary acquired in his many travels through the Americas, Africa, the Middle East and Central and Southeast Asia. Snyder considers his objects to be not just about form, function, color, material and process, but rather to be fantasies with spirit, magic and story. During his seventeen years with the Art et Industrie gallery, Snyder participated in five solo shows and more than twenty group shows, which established him as a major player in the American Art Furniture movement. His pieces have appeared in numerous publications and media around the world; and they are included in numerous private collections worldwide as well as in the permanent collection of The Art Institute of Chicago. Snyder guest-lectures at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, the New School in New York, and SUNY Purchase. He was included in the seminal Magen H Gallery retrospective of Art et Industrie—a New York Movement. Art et Industrie was the first to exhibit Studio Alchemia, Shiro Takahama, and Ron Arad. The retrospective included artists such as Forrest Myers, Terence Main...
Category

20th Century Abstract Expressionist Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Watercolor, Gouache

Abstract Expressionist Original Gouache on paper Collage style of de Kooning
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract Expressionist Original Gouache on paper and Collage Abstract Gouache and Paper Collage by Harold Winer (American, 1913-2006). Image 30"H x 40"W Slat with white paint .25" ...
Category

1980s Post-War Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Gouache, Illustration Board, Laid Paper

Abstract Expressionist Original Watercolor on Paper style of de Kooning
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract Expressionist Original Watercolor on Paper style of de Kooning Abstract Watercolor titled "Lands End" by Harold Winer (American, 1913-2006). Bright and bold colors of a Fl...
Category

1970s Post-War Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Illustration Board, Laid Paper, Watercolor

Dinosaur Me & Baby
By Erez Yardeni
Located in London, GB
'Dinosaur Me & Baby' abstract composition, mixed media on soft board, Japanese ink, oil, pencil and gouache by Erez Yardeni (2018). The scribblings of a c...
Category

2010s Abstract Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Ink, Oil, Gouache, Board, Pencil

Pink Cosmos, Mixed Media Art on Paper
By a.muse
Located in New york, NY
In the artist's abstract print series, Pink Cosmos, 2023 by a.muse represents an imaginary cosmos - the universe as a place of longing, dreams, wonder, and ethereal beauty. A 13.75" ...
Category

2010s Abstract Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Ink, Rag Paper, Monotype, Gouache

Original 70's Hand Painted Textile Design Gouache abstract morden White Paper
Located in ALCOY/ALCOI, ES
Abstract Expressionist design. Sealed on the back with the design studio name and number . Ilegible signature We offer a small number of these original illustration designs by this ...
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Untitled II
By Erez Yardeni
Located in London, GB
'Untitled II' abstract composition, mixed media on soft board, Japanese ink, oil, pencil and gouache by Erez Yardeni (2018). There is so much energy in th...
Category

2010s Abstract Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Ink, Oil, Gouache, Board, Pencil

Untitled II
Untitled II
H 12.21 in W 15.95 in
Balancing Act 1 (Abstract painting)
By Tracey Adams
Located in London, GB
Balancing Act 1 (Abstract painting) Gouache, graphite and ink on Rives paper - Unframed This work (unframed) incorporates graphite, ink, and gouache, and is a combination of intuit...
Category

2010s Abstract Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper, India Ink, Gouache, Graphite

Original 70's Hand Painted Textile Design Gouache Red Girl&forest on White Paper
Located in ALCOY/ALCOI, ES
Abstract Expressionist design. Sealed on the back with the design studio name and number . Ilegible signature We offer a small number of these original illustration designs by this ...
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper, Gouache

1950s "Abstract #4" Ink and Gouache Painting Univ of Paris
By Donald Stacy
Located in Arp, TX
Donald Stacy "Abstract #4" c.1950s Ink & Gouache on paper 10.5x19.5" brown, ripple, wood frame 11.5”x1”x20.75” Signed in pencil lower right with label on reverse Came from artist's e...
Category

Early 20th Century Abstract Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Gouache

Original 70's Hand Painted Textile Design Gouache botanical style on White Paper
Located in ALCOY/ALCOI, ES
Abstract Expressionist design. Sealed on the back with the design studio name and number . Ilegible signature We offer a small number of these original illustration designs by this ...
Category

1970s Abstract Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Balancing Act 3 (Abstract Painting)
By Tracey Adams
Located in London, GB
Balancing Act 3 (Abstract Painting) Gouache, graphite and ink on Rives paper. Unframed. Balancing Act 3 is part of a series of works on paper started in 2016. They are created in the evenings and aptly named after busy days of teaching and other responsibilities. The artist establishes parameters involving the use of a particular palette, certain mark-making gestures and amount of time spent on each drawing. This work incorporates graphite, ink, and gouache, and is a combination of intuition-based and planned execution. Tracey Adams is an American abstract painter and printmaker. Her artworks reflect a strong interest in musical patterns, rhythms, lyrical compositional elements and what she calls a sense of performance. She lives and works in Carmel, California. Work by Adams is part of the permanent collections of several museums, including the Bakersfield Art Museum, the Monterey Museum of Art, the Fresno Art Museum, the Tucson Art...
Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Gouache, Graphite

Previously Available Items
Rouille sur journe by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in New Orleans, LA
Alexander Calder 1898 – 1976 American Rouille sur journe (Rust on day) Gouache and ink on paper Signed and dated “Calder 64” (lower right) This vibrant gouache and ink on paper is the work of modernist master, Alexander Calder. Calder was widely innovative across a multitude of artistic mediums, not only in his revolutionary sculptural mobiles...
Category

20th Century Modern Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Gouache

Serpent vert by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in New Orleans, LA
Alexander Calder 1898 – 1976 American Serpent vert (Green Serpent) Gouache and ink on paper Signed and dated “Calder 72” (lower right) A masterwork in a ...
Category

20th Century Post-Impressionist Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Gouache

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

Mid-20th Century Post-War Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Ink, Gouache

Untitled, 1964
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palo Alto, CA
Renowned for his mobiles, Alexander Calder applies the same principles of movement found in his sculptural works in this gouache work titled Untitled, 1964. Vertical yellow stripes cover the background, over which crisscrossed lines of red are punctuated with dripping blue dots. The layers of color bleed into each other, drawing attention to the water-based medium of the pigments. Gouache paint consists of opaque pigments ground in water and a thickener, which yields an especially rich color for a water-based paint. Thin abstracted lines and dots in black fill the lower half of the composition with the same swaying movement of grass blades in the wind.  The swirl in the lower right corner of the composition is a signature formal motif in both Calder’s three-dimensional and two-dimensional works. Through a masterful handling of gouache, Alexander Calder Untitled...
Category

1960s Modern Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Ink, Gouache

"Composition" an Original Color Lithograph signed by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Composition" is an original lithograph by Alexander Calder, created in 1965. This print holds several shapes. A large red circle is centered near the top of the piece. Bellow it and...
Category

1960s Abstract Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Lithograph

Blue Dots in Red Loops
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A painting by Alexander Calder. "Blue Dots in Red Loops" is an abstract, gouache on paper painting depicting iconic Alexander Calder whimsical and kinetic, loops and lines in black a...
Category

1960s Post-War Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Untitled (For Braniff Airlines)
By Alexander Calder
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This piece is a unique original gouache and ink painting on paper by Alexander Calder, created circa 1973. In 1973, Braniff International Airways commissioned Calder to use three flying aircrafts as his canvases. He painted a full-size Douglas DC-8-62 four engine airliner in bright and vivid colors, which became known as "Flying Colors of South America." Calder went on to create "Flying Colors of the United States" on a Boeing 727...
Category

1970s Modern Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Ink, Gouache

Untitled
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Desert, CA
gouache on paper Signed lower right, "To Tebe Sandy Calder". Signed upper right, "Calder 45". Provenance: Gift from the artist; Inherited by descent t...
Category

1940s American Modern Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Gouache

Untitled
Untitled
H 22.75 in W 20.75 in
Untitled
By Alexander Calder
Located in Palm Desert, CA
gouache on paper Signed lower left, "Calder 57" and "To Christopher amicalement". Provenance: Gift from the artist to the present owner in 1963. Exhibition: October 1997 at 52 M...
Category

1950s American Modern Alexander Calder Paintings

Materials

Gouache

Untitled
Untitled
H 20.5 in W 25.75 in

Alexander Calder paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Alexander Calder paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of paintings 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 and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Alexander Calder in paint, gouache, watercolor and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the post-war style. Not every interior allows for large Alexander Calder paintings, so small editions measuring 23 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Irving Norman, Arne Hiersoux, and Jack Roth. Alexander Calder paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $105,500 and tops out at $2,850,000, while the average work can sell for $175,000.
Questions About Alexander Calder Paintings
  • 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 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 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 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 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 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
    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 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 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 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 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 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
    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.

Recently Viewed

View All