ALEXANDER CALDER (1898-1976)

UNTITLED (MOBILE)

Details

ALEXANDER CALDER (1898-1976)
UNTITLED (MOBILE)
INSCRIBED WITH THE INITIALS AND DATED 'CA 58' (ON THE RED ELEMENT)
PAINTED SHEET METAL AND METAL ROD
91 1/2IN. (232CM.) SPAN
15IN. (38CM.) HEIGHT
EXECUTED IN 1958

Provenance

GIVEN BY THE ARTIST TO PETER BELLEW IN 1958 AND THENCE BY DESCENT TO THE PRESENT OWNER

Exhibited

HUMLEBAEK, DENMARK, LOUISIANA MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, ALEXANDER CALDER: RETROSPECTIVE, OCTOBER 1995-JANUARY 1996. THIS EXHIBITION LATER TRAVELLED TO STOCKHOLM, MODERNA MUSEET, MARCH-MAY 1996 AND PARIS, MUSéE D'ART MODERNE DE LA VILLE DE PARIS, JULY-OCTOBER 1996.

Lot Essay

CALDER'S INVENTION OF THE MOBILE BROUGHT LIGHTNESS, HUMOUR AND MOVEMENT TO A MEDIUM NORMALLY CHARACTERIZED BY ITS MONUMENTAL SOLIDITY. WITH HIS BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE OF ENGINEERING AND PHYSICS, THE PRESENT WORK IS A SUBTLY BALANCED EXERCISE IN MOTION. THE CONSTELLATION OF FLOATING FORMS REVOLVES ACCORDING TO THE PHYSICAL LOGIC OF THE ARRANGEMENT OF SUSPENDED WIRES, AS GENTLE CHANGES IN THE AIR CURRENTS CAUSE IT TO CONTINUALLY PLAY WITH ITS OWN SHAPE.

CALDER CREATED UNTITLED IN 1958, THE YEAR IN WHICH HE AND BELLEW OVERSAW THE INSTALLATION OF HIS SPIRALE AT UNESCO.

More from 20th Century Art

View All