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 (1036 items)

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William H. Johnson, Harbor, Svolvaer, Lofoten, 1937, oil on burlap, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.893
Harbor, Svolvaer, Lofoten
Artist
Date1937
oil on burlap
On view
William H. Johnson, Chain Gang, ca. 1939, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.675
Chain Gang
Artist
Dateca. 1939
oil on plywood
On view
William H. Johnson, Breakdown with Flat Tire, ca. 1940-1941, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.587
Breakdown with Flat Tire
Artist
Dateca. 1940-1941
oil on plywood
On view
William H. Johnson, The Breakdown, ca. 1940-1941, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.589
The Breakdown
Artist
Dateca. 1940-1941
oil on plywood
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

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William H. Johnson, Farm Sketches, ca. 1940-1941, pen and ink and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.520
Farm Sketches
Artist
Dateca. 1940-1941
pen and ink and pencil on paper
Not on view
Herman Maril, Houses, 1933, tempera, india ink, conte crayon and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Olin Dows, 1983.90.103
Houses
Artist
Date1933
tempera, india ink, conte crayon and pencil on paper
Not on view
Image Not Available
Scale drawing for ​“Ripples”, Federal Office Building,…
Artist
Date1979
felt-tipped pen and ink and pencil on graph paper
Not on view
Theodore Roszak, The Great Moth, 1955, pen and ink, ink wash, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1986.6.73
The Great Moth
Artist
Date1955
pen and ink, ink wash, and pencil on paper
Not on view