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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
Through September 5
Exhibitions & Events
America’s 250th

Celebrating American art and artists
Art & Artists
Open Call

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

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
Through September 5
Exhibitions & Events
America’s 250th

Celebrating American art and artists
Art & Artists
Open Call

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

Red Cow with Black Head

1971

Alexander Calder

Associated Names

Alexander Calder

Artist, American, 1898 - 1976

The sculpture features a stylized animal form with four legs, an elongated body, and a distinct head with upward-protruding elements resembling horns or antlers. It is predominantly red with a black head, crafted from a smooth material that reflects light. The minimalistic design gives it a modern and abstract appearance, with flat surfaces and sharp angles highlighting the form and composition. Overall, it has a sleek, contemporary aesthetic with a bold use of color and shape.

This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.

On View

East Building Tower Level, Gallery E606

Artwork overview

Medium

sheet metal
Credit Line

Collection of Mrs. Paul Mellon, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art
Dimensions

height: 56.83 cm (22 3/8 in.)
Accession Number

1991.7.14
Copyright

© 2000 Estate of Alexander Calder / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Galerie Maeght, Paris); purchased March 1978 by Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, Upperville, Virginia; gift 1991 to NGA.

Associated Names

Mellon, Paul

Exhibition History

1991

Art for the Nation: Gifts in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1991, 438-443, color repro.

Bibliography

1994

Sculpture: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994: 39, repro.

Inscriptions

on proper right side: CA 71

Wikidata ID

Q63860620

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