Alexander Calder
United States
1898- 1977

Untitled, n.d.
Lithograph
20 1/8 x 28 in.
Sweeney Art Gallery Permanent Collection
Gift of Henry W. Coil, Jr.
96.1.26

"The underlying sense of form in my work has been the system of the universe."
-Alexander Calder, 1951

Alexander Calder is recognized primarily as an abstract sculptor and pioneer of kinetic art. Calder was the third generation of artists in his family following in both his father and grandfather's footsteps. Calder received a degree in mechanical engineering which would have a lasting influence once he decided to pursue art. He studied art in New York with members of the Ashcan School then moved to Paris befriending influential members of the avant-garde such as Picasso, Leger and Mondrian. Calder combined his knowledge of engineering with the avant-garde explorations into abstraction. He experimented with putting paintings and drawings into motion that became his famous mobiles. Calder based his mobile constructions on the movements of the planetary system.

© UC Regents and the artist.