Alexander Calder (AMERICAN, 1898-1976) The Attack Gouache on paper 1964 Signed "Sandy," dated and dedicated in black ink, lower margin Dimensions: 21 ¾ x 29 ½ inches (62 3/4 x 75 cm) Framed and floating in white, wood frame In overall good condition With the accompanying paperwork from the Calder Foundation with number "A19823" Provenance: The artist; Nicholas Guppy; Bloomsbury Auction House; Ruth O'Hara Gallery Contact department for full condition report This 1964 gouache entitled “The Attack” will be accompanied by paperwork from the Calder Foundation. It is registered in the archives under "A19823.” The dedication reads “To Nicholas” and is signed “Sandy” and dated ’64’ on the lower right in black ink. The gouache is dedicated to Nicholas Guppy (1925-2012) who was a great friend of the artist (Calder signed the work with his nickname “Sandy”). Guppy was a Trinidad-born botanist, writer, ethnographer and environmentalist who, in 1952 discovered a primitive Indian tribe in the Amazon jungle. His 1958 book recounts meeting vermillion painted Wai-Wai Indians carrying spears. Calder’s black and red composition, replete with images of the natural world is a tribute to this encounter. However it should be noted that in the late 1950s the sculptor was making enormous stabiles in the shapes of animals, so the imposing red snake in the foreground of the composition could also be an idea for a standing sculpture. These were often painted red or black. The sheet measures 21 ¾ x 29 ½ inches and is framed. Alexander Calder (AMERICAN, 1898-1976) Alexander Calder was born in 1898 in Lawton, Pennsylvania. He studied at the Art Student’s League in New York, where the artists of the Ash Can school influenced him. In 1926, he moved to Paris and developed his miniature circus. He is best known as the inventor of the mobile. His artistic production also comprises modern monumental sculptures, placed all around the world in public space. His work has been honored with a number of large-scale exhibitions. Alexander Calder died in 1976. Starting Bid : 26000