Flying Dragon (intermediate maquette)

Alexander Calder (1898–1976) was an American sculptor best known for inventing the mobile, a type of kinetic sculpture made of delicately balanced or suspended components that move in response to air currents. Born in Lawnton, Pennsylvania, into a family of artists, Calder trained as a mechanical engineer before studying painting in New York. He moved to Paris in the late 1920s, where his wire sculptures and miniature circus performances captivated figures like Marcel Duchamp and Joan Miró. His landmark 1931 exhibition introduced abstract mobiles and stabiles — large, static metal sculptures that became permanent features of public spaces worldwide. Calder's work bridged the gap between fine art and engineering, combining bold primary colors with biomorphic forms drawn from the natural world. His monumental commissions include works for UNESCO in Paris, the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, and numerous other institutions. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977.

Lawnton, PA, USA