Alexander Calder lithograph Grey Ellipse, from the Our Unfinished Revolution Portfolio, 1976 is a whimsical and eye-catching work that engages the viewer with primary colors red, yellow, and blue, with contrasting greys and black to emphasize the negative space. Organic, circular forms are layered on top of each other in a whimsical pattern that flows from the top right of the image to the bottom left. Long oval forms are stretched in the background, providing a bright contrast to the second layer of red. In the middle of the image, a large circle is placed front and center with highlighting and a drop shadow from the final top singular blue circle. At the bottom of the sheet are two smaller black dots on opposite corners, a slate grey half circle that is layered behind the larger of the red organic forms, and a long light grey oval that rests horizontally at the bottom of the page. Though there seems to be little in the way of consistency, Calder expresses symmetry throughout this work despite its abstract nature. In the top left are two smaller circles that lay perpendicular to a set of two small circles on the bottom right corner. Using only a handful of colors, Calder explores how color draws our eye around an image to see patterns, shapes, and new expressions.

The Our Unfinished Revolution portfolio was created to aid the National Emergency Civil Liberties Committee on its 25th anniversary. The NECLC was an organization created in 1951 by 150 educators and clergymen to advocate for the civil liberties embodied in the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution, notably the rights of free speech, religion, travel, and assembly.

Created in 1976, this color lithograph is hand-signed by Alexander Calder (Pennsylvania, 1898 – New York, 1976) in pencil in the lower right margin. Numbered from the edition of 175 in pencil in the lower right margin.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Alexander Calder lithograph Grey Ellipse, from the Our Unfinished Revolution Portfolio, 1976 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).

1. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Alexander Calder lithograph Grey Ellipse, from the Our Unfinished Revolution Portfolio, 1976 is presented in a complementary moulding and optical grade Plexiglas.