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Calder: The Conquest of Time: The Early Years: 18981940 (A Life of Calder),Used
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The first biography of America's greatest twentiethcentury sculptor, Alexander Calder: an authoritative and revelatory achievement, based on a wealth of letters and papers never before available, and written by one of our most renowned art critics.Alexander Calder is one of the most beloved and widely admired artists of the twentieth century. Anybody who has ever set foot in a museum knows him as the inventor of the mobile, America's unique contribution to modern art. But only now, forty years after the artist's death, is the full story of his life being told in this biography, which is based on unprecedented access to Calder's letters and papers as well as scores of interviews. Jed Perl shows us why Calder wasand remainsa barrier breaker, an avantgarde artist with mass appeal.This beautifully written, deeply researched book opens with Calder's wonderfully peripatetic upbringing in Philadelphia, California, and New York. Born in 1898 into a family of artistshis father was a wellknown sculptor, his mother a painter and a pioneering feministCalder went on as an adult to forge important friendships with a who's who of twentiethcentury artists, including Joan Mir, Marcel Duchamp, Georges Braque, and Piet Mondrian. We move through Calder's early years studying engineering to his first artistic triumphs in Paris in the late 1920s, and to his emergence as a leader in the international abstract avantgarde. His marriage in 1931 to the freespirited Louisa Jamesshe was a greatniece of Henry Jamesis a richly romantic story, related here with a wealth of detail and nuance.Calder's life takes on a transatlantic richness, from New York's Greenwich Village in the Roaring Twenties, to the Left Bank of Paris during the Depression, and then back to the United States, where the Calders bought a rundown old farmhouse in western Connecticut. New light is shed on Calder's lifelong interest in dance, theater, and performance, ranging from the Cirque Calder, the theatrical event that became his calling card in bohemian Paris to collaborations with the choreographer Martha Graham and the composer Virgil Thomson. More than 350 illustrations in color and blackandwhiteincluding littleknown works and many archival photographs that have never before been seenfurther enrich the story.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main focus of 'Calder: The Conquest of Time'? A: The book is a comprehensive biography of Alexander Calder, detailing his life, artistic development, and relationships with other notable artists from 1898 to 1940.
- Q: Who is the author of the biography? A: The biography is written by Jed Perl, a renowned art critic known for his insightful analyses of modern art.
- Q: What type of illustrations are included in the book? A: The book features more than 350 illustrations, including both color and black-and-white images, many of which are little-known works and archival photographs.
- Q: What can readers expect regarding Calder's personal life? A: Readers will find details about Calder's upbringing, his marriage to Louisa James, and his relationships with fellow artists, providing a rich context for his artistic journey.
- Q: Is this biography based on primary sources? A: Yes, the biography is based on unprecedented access to Calder's letters and papers, as well as numerous interviews with people who knew him.
- Q: What time period does the book cover? A: The biography covers the early years of Alexander Calder's life from 1898 to 1940, highlighting his artistic evolution during this period.
- Q: What themes are explored in the biography? A: The book explores themes of innovation in art, Calder's avant-garde contributions, and his influence on modern sculpture and performance.
- Q: Is the book suitable for art history enthusiasts? A: Yes, it is well-suited for art history enthusiasts, students, and anyone interested in 20th-century art and Alexander Calder's legacy.
- Q: What is the format of the book? A: The book is published in hardcover format, ensuring durability and a visually appealing presentation.
- Q: When was 'Calder: The Conquest of Time' published? A: The biography was published on October 24, 2017.