Description:As an homage to classic cinema, Alexander Calder has transcended the medium of film to encompass its fun, whimsical, and romantic quality. Using color gouache, he is able to instill his own, characteristic brush stroke and humor in this scene of a reclining woman and her daunting male counterpart staring down upon her. This, of course, is being lit by stage lights from above, allowing her skin to shimmer and dance across the sheet. Cinema evokes the German expressionist era in film with the solid, black and white figure that dominates the central composition. He is further accented by the pale, pink hues of the woman's skin, her golden, curly hair, and the fluffy white cloud of a pillow on which she rests her head. The work is incredibly grand in scale, seemingly recalling the grandeur of the silver screen and the romance and humor it inspires in our hearts.
This work is registered as an authentic work by Calder in the archives of the Calder Foundation, New York, under application number A12910. Created in 1972, this original color gouache is hand signed by Alexander Calder (1898 - 1976) in black gouache in the lower right. It is also dated '72' in the lower right, next to his signature. The paper he used is watermark; 'Fidelis MBM Trait Lavis Arches France ?' appears in the paper. There is also an embossed TR
PROVENANCE:
- Galerie Maeght, Paris
- Michael Levy Gallery, Long Beach
- Jonathan Novak, Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
- Private Collection, California
- Isadore And Kelly Friedman Collection
Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
1) Registered with the calder foundation under application number A12910
2) A Masterworks COA will be included with the sale of this work.
About the Framing:
Conservation framed with archival materials, this work is set in a modern, black and gold frame. The minimalist contemporary style of the moulding compliments the bold lines and color within this work. The gold and 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.
