Alexander Calder - Stars & Stripes

Stars & Stripes, 1975

Lithograph in colors on Arches paper

Image/Sheet: 25"h x 35.75"w

Signed and numbered 60/100 in pencil at the lower right and left

Number 60 from an edition of 100

Published by Mourlot, Paris

About the Piece:

Stars and Stripes reflects Alexander Calder’s engagement with national symbolism through the lens of abstraction, transforming familiar emblems into a dynamic and modern visual language. Rather than presenting a literal depiction of the American flag, Calder evokes its essence—rhythm, unity, and balance—by distilling its symbolic components into elemental forms and compositional relationships. The work suggests a meditation on American identity as one defined by movement, openness, and continual rebalancing.

The composition is structured around Calder’s signature interplay of bold shapes and linear elements, which appear to shift and respond to one another across the surface. This sense of suspended motion carries symbolic weight, suggesting vitality and resilience rather than rigidity. The stars and stripes implied by the title emerge through rhythm and repetition, offering a visual analogy to collective harmony formed through individual components held in tension.

Color and contrast reinforce the patriotic undercurrent of the work. Calder’s confident use of primary tones recalls the visual language of the flag while remaining firmly rooted in abstraction. Negative space functions as an active element, allowing forms to breathe and interact, much as Calder’s mobiles rely on open air to achieve balance. The composition thus becomes not only an image, but a spatial proposition—one that invites reflection on freedom, structure, and equilibrium.

Within the broader context of Calder’s career, Stars and Stripes demonstrates how the artist could engage national themes without sacrificing formal innovation. The work aligns with his belief that abstraction could communicate universal ideas through simplicity and clarity. By reimagining a powerful national symbol through motion and balance, Calder offers a distinctly modern expression of patriotism—one that is thoughtful, celebratory, and deeply attuned to the ideals of American modernism.

Shipping
Shipping charges are calculated based on destination, carrier, service level, and packaging requirements. We will reach out via email after you place your order to discuss shipping arrangements. See our complete shipping policy here.