Creating a dazzling circus scene full of animation and liveliness, Calder (Pennsylvania, 1898 - New York, 1976) depicts a beautiful acrobat and her horse in Alexander Calder Circus, 1976. In the center of the ring, enveloped in bright red, a white horse gallops across the composition, his head slightly tilted toward the lovely acrobat. The smiling blonde acrobat emerges from the lower left corner in a vibrant pink skirted leotard and remains focused on the horse, as if preparing to leap onto his back. Calder creates a sense of circular motion as the horse moves forward around the ring and captures the sense of fun and excitement experienced by the audience while witnessing a live circus performance.

This work is registered as an authentic work by Calder (Pennsylvania, 1898 - New York, 1976) in the archives of the Calder Foundation, New York, under application number A24689. This original color gouache is hand signed by Alexander Calder (Pennsylvania, 1898 - New York, 1976) in black gouache in the lower right. It is also dated '76' in the lower right, next to his signature. This work is on watermarked, 'VIDALON LES ANNONAY ANC NE MANUF RE CANSON & MONTGOLEFFER' paper.

Provenance:

1. Galerie Maeght
2. Howard Russick, Philadelphia
3. Harcourts Fine Art, San Francisco
4. Private Collection, Chicago
5. Rosenthal Fine Art, Chicago

Documented and Illustrated in:

1. Registered with the Calder foundation under application number A24689

About the Framing:

Conservation framed with archival materials, Alexander Calder Circus, 1976 is set in a modern, black frame. The minimalist contemporary style of the moulding compliments the bold lines and color within this work. The black tones of the framing also serve to enhance the contrast and vibrancy of the colors in this piece. Completed with white, linen-wrapped mats and a matching gold inner fillet, this work is set behind an archival Plexiglas cover.