Puppet Man, 1960, E. A . is a lithograph by Alexander Calder, a renowned American sculptor and artist known for his mobiles. The fine art print features a figure reminiscent of a puppet and is characterized by Calder's signature use of bold colors and abstract shapes.
“Puppet Man” is a vibrant, abstract lithograph that features a whimsical figure which appears to be a stylized, anthropomorphic character. This figure has a large, round head with a yellow face and spiral patterns for eyes, giving it a playful and surreal appearance. The ears are simplified forms, with one ear angled away from the head, as if twisting. The body is depicted with black and white horizontal stripes, reminiscent of a traditional puppet’s clothing. The figure’s arms and hands are rendered with black lines and bright yellow highlights, while the legs are divided into bold blocks of color – one blue and one red – ending in flat, blue feet. The overall effect is one of joy and playfulness, characteristic of Calder’s oeuvre, which often explored the boundaries between abstraction and figuration through dynamic shapes and vivid colors.
Puppet Man, 1960. E. A. Fine Art Print
Alexander Calder
Puppet Man,1960
"E.A" Written in pencil by the artist
The "E.A." designation on the print likely indicates it's an artist's proof, or an edition aside from the standard edition, further emphasizing its unique nature.
Dimensions:
Image size: 42.25 x 19 in.
Frame size: 50.25 x 27 in.
Silver Frame
The American sculptor Alexander Calder is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling.
Because Calder's parents, both artists themselves, did not want him to suffer the hardships of trying to make a living in art, they encouraged the young Calder to study mechanical engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology, in Hoboken, New Jersey. He worked a number of jobs, including as a hydraulic engineer and draftsman for the New York Edison Company, before deciding to pursue an artistic career. He never abandoned his engineering background, however, applying his understanding of gears and moving parts in all his artworks, from mechanical toys like the Cirque Calder (1931) and his revered prints to his free-standing abstract sculptures, called stabiles.
In 1926, Calder moved to Paris and established a studio in the Montparnasse quarter. He began creating the many parts of his famous miniature circus from found materials, such as wire, string, cloth, rubber and cork. Designed to be transportable, Cirque grew to fill five suitcases over the years. Always interested in putting forms in motion, Calder also pioneered a new art form called wire sculptures, which he described as “drawings in space.” Like his famous mobiles, the wire sculptures were suspended so that they turned with any movement of the air, presenting different forms when viewed from different angles.
In the 1950s, Calder returned to his roots in mechanical engineering, creating monumental abstract sculptures that verged on the architectural. He worked from loose gestural drawings like this preparatory sketch for his Man Stabile, from 1966. Throughout his career, he also worked as a set designer for the theater, as well as an illustrator and printmaker, producing vibrant, whimsical drawings for books and journals.
