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Open 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Visit
Open today 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission is always free

6th and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20565

Sculpture Garden Extended Hours

Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights
Starting June 3
Exhibitions & Events
Featured event:

Block Party
Join us June 6
Art & Artists
Open Call

Artists Reimagining the Collection
Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

The Dance

1944

Alexander Calder

Associated Names

Alexander Calder

Artist, American, 1898 - 1976

The image shows two humanoid figures with elephant heads connected by flowing and curvilinear lines, creating an abstract representation. The figures have broad outlines and exaggerated elephant ears and trunks merged with human bodies, feminine characteristics, and high-heeled shoes. The combination of human and elephant forms creates a surreal appearance resembling a playful circus act or costume performance.

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Artwork overview

Medium

pen and black ink on wove paper
Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Klaus G. Perls
Dimensions

overall: 28.6 x 26.4 cm (11 1/4 x 10 3/8 in.)
Accession Number

1996.120.14

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Klaus and Dolly Perls, New York; gift to NGA, 1996.

Associated Names

Perls, Klaus

Exhibition History

1997

Alexander Calder: The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Klaus G. Perls, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1997, no. 20, as The Dance II.

2018

Sense of Humor: Caricature, Satire, and the Comical in Prints and Drawings from Leonardo to the Present, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2018 - 2019.

Bibliography

1997

Alexander Calder: The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Klaus G. Perls. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1997: no. 20.

Inscriptions

lower right in brown ink: Calder '44; upper left verso in graphite by unknown hand: #8774

Wikidata ID

Q64534119

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