About the Alexander Calder papers
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Biographical Information | Description of the Collection | How to Use the Collection
Biographical Information
Sculptor and kinetic artist Alexander Calder was born in 1898 in Lawnton, Pennsylvania. As the son of two artists, he was encouraged to sculpt and construct things in his own workshop at an early age. In 1919 he graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology with a degree in mechanical engineering, and after holding several jobs, he decided to take classes at the Art Students League in New York City. He began exhibiting his paintings, but also focused on drawing, illustration, and wood and wire sculpture. In 1926 Calder moved to Paris and began making toys for his performance piece, "Cirque Calder." He married Louisa James in 1931 and exhibited his mobiles for the first time the same year. He continued to spend his time between New York and Paris, and he and Louisa also bought a farm in Roxbury, Connecticut. They had two children, Sandra and Mary. Calder befriended many influential artists, including Joan Mir, Fernand Lger, Marcel Duchamp, and Yves Tanguy, and joined the Abstraction-Cration group in 1931. He exhibited and worked on commissions extensively throughout his career. As a very prolific artist, he had alliances with several galleries, including the Pierre Matisse Gallery in New York. Later in his career, Calder began focusing on large-scale outdoor sculptures. He died in 1976 at the age of 78.
Description of the Collection
Overview - Scope and Contents [+]
The papers of abstract kinetic artist and sculptor Alexander Calder measure 2.5 linear feet and date from 1926 to 1967. Found within the papers are scattered biographical materials, correspondence, printed materials, photographs, scattered prints and sketches by Calder, and a scrapbook. Of particular interest are the numerous photographs of Calder, including many of Calder at work in his studios, with his family at their home in Touraine, France, exhibitions, and artwork. Among the photographs are several taken by photographer and artist Herbert Matter and a photograph of Pierre Matisse at Calder's home. READ MORE
Arrangement and Series Description
The Alexander Calder papers are arranged into six series, according to type of material. The contents of each folder have been arranged chronologically.
- Series 1: Biographical Material, 1928-1954, undated(Box 1; 8 folders)
- Series 2: Correspondence, 1928-1962, undated (Box 1; 3 folders)
- Series 3: Printed Material, 1927-1967, undated(Box 1-3; 1 linear foot)
- Series 4: Photographs, 1927-1962, undated (Box 3-6; 0.6 linear feet)
- Series 5: Artwork, 1930-1947, undated(Box 5-6; 1 folder)
- Series 6: Scrapbook, 1926-1932 (Box 7; 1 item)
Subjects
This collection is indexed in the online catalog of the Archives of American Art under the following index terms. People, families and organizations are listed under "Subjects" when they are the topic of collection contents and under "Names" when they are creators or contributors.
- Subjects-Topical:
- Sculptors
- Sculpture, American
- Sculpture, Modern -- 20th century
- Types of Materials:
- Photographs
- Sketches
- Scrapbooks
Provenance
The collection was donated in 1963 by Alexander Calder and was microfilmed shortly after receipt.
How the Collection was Processed
The collection received preliminary processing at some point after donation and the collection was microfilmed on reel D305. It was fully processed, arranged and described by Erin Corley and scanned in 2005, with funding provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art.
How to Use the Collection
Restrictions on Use
The Alexander Calder papers are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Literary rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
The collection has been digitized and is available online via AAA's website.
Available Formats
This collection has been digitized. View the Alexander Calder papers online
The collection was digitized in 2005 and is available online via AAA's website.
Related Collections
The Archives also has a transcribed interview of Alexander Calder, conducted October 26, 1971 by Paul Cummings for the Archives of American Art.
How to Cite this Collection
Alexander Calder papers, 1926-1967. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.