Nenuphar

Alexander Calder, Nenuphar, 1968, sheet steel, 103 1⁄4 x 106 1⁄2 x 119 1⁄8 in. (262.4 x 270.5 x 302.5 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1968.62.1

Artwork Details

Title
Nenuphar
Artist
Date
1968
Location
Dimensions
103 1⁄4 x 106 1⁄2 x 119 1⁄8 in. (262.4 x 270.5 x 302.5 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of the artist
Mediums
Mediums Description
sheet steel
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
Object Number
1968.62.1
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1968.62.1

Artwork Description

Nenuphar was built at Calder's workshop in France for the 1968 opening of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. It is one of the artist's stabiles, or fixed sculptures, and the lyrical shapes cut from sheet steel convey the same gentle, graceful movement as his mobiles. Six silhouettes evoke the dark reflections of the water lily's flowering stalk and curling leaves. In fact, Calder conjured the entire intricate world of a windswept pond, varying the tendrils to suggest the shadowy presence of birds and fish among the lilies.

Exhibition Label, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2006

Works by this artist (29 items)

View all artworks
Alexander Calder, Gwenfritz, ca. 1968, iron, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, 1969.116
Gwenfritz
Artist
Dateca. 1968
iron
On view
Alexander Calder, Maquette for Flamingo, 1972, riveted and painted aluminum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1980.49.3
Maquette for Flamingo
Artist
Date1972
riveted and painted aluminum
On view
Alexander Calder, The Antlers, 1944, plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Alexander Calder, 1971.359
The Antlers
Artist
Date1944
plaster
On view
Alexander Calder, The Acrobats, 1944, plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Alexander Calder, 1971.358A-B
The Acrobats
Artist
Date1944
plaster
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

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Saul Baizerman, Primavera, 1954-1955, hammered copper and steel on wood base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1976.132
Primavera
Artist
Date1954-1955
hammered copper and steel on wood base
Not on view
David Von Schlegell, Study for Voyage of Ulysses, 1977, welded stainless steel on plastic-covered wood base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, Art-in-Architecture Program, 1977.47.29
Study for Voyage of Ulysses
Artist
Date1977
welded stainless steel on plastic-covered wood base
Not on view
John Scott, Thornbush Blues Totem, 1990, painted steel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1994.34
Thornbush Blues Totem
Artist
Date1990
painted steel
Not on view
Melvin Edwards, Tambo, 1993, welded steel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment and the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program, 1994.55, © 1993, Melvin Edwards
Tambo
Artist
Date1993
welded steel
On view