Lot 391
Calder, Alexander. "CIRCUS". (1898 -1976) One of the most beloved and innovative American artists of the 20th Century, known the world over for his mobiles, monumental sculptures, his jewelry and his paintings. Alexander Calder was born into a family of artists - his grandfather having moved to Philadelphia from Scotland and became a world class sculptor and created the the colossal statue of William Penn atop the Philadelphia City Hall's tower. Calder's father following in his father's footsteps created many public installations and his mother a well regarded portrait artist. However both parents did not want Calder to become an artist so he enrolled to study mechanical engineering in college and became an engineer and draughtsman. But those talents eventually morphed into a desire to paint and create. He enrolled in art school and one of his first jobs was with the National Police Gazette to sketch performance from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus which began a life-long fascination.
In 1920-21 he created a mechanical circus/toys entitled "Cirque Calder" while abroad. The sculpture became something of an avant-garde hit in Paris. From there, Calder started to develop what became his kinetic sculptures and mobiles for which he is most known. In the 1950's he began creating his monumental sculptures as seen at JFK, in downtown Los Angeles, Paris, Montreal, Grand Rapids, and numerous other pieces beloved by the communities they tower over. As Calder's sculptures moved into the realm of pure abstraction in the early 1930s, so did his paintings, drawings and prints.
"Circus" (1976) gouache on paper (framed) represents one of the few works completed in the last year of his life. It is very much a theme most prevalent in both his 2-D and 3-D works. Here, Calder embraces the presence of light and music in the circus with the left corner a spotlight illuminating the rings of the circus. Conjointly, one could also see it as a booming drum over a keyboard reverberating the sounds that fill the circus performance space. Light, sound and movement proved life-long themes in all of Calder's works.
Calder's paintings and sculptures are in many permanent collections across the world. The Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, has the largest body of his work. Other important museum collections include the The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris; the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid; and the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC.
"CIRCUS"
Provenance: Obtained by Maeght Foundation in Paris, Private collection, New York 2008, and was held by Antoine Helwaser Gallery, New York City, exhibited and sold Art Basel Miami December, 2015.
Other Exhibitions: Ricco Maresca, Alexander Calder Gouaches, April-May, 2008
Literature: Ricco Maresca Gallery, New York Gouaches, Catalog #4. This work is registered in the archives of the Calder Foundation, New York, A12587.
Condition: Pristine condition, paper without blemishes or foxing as confirmed by Antoine Helwaser.
Size: 29¼ x 43¼ inches. Estimated Value $190,000 - UP
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