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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
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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

Les flèches

1976

Alexander Calder

Associated Names

Alexander Calder

Artist, American, 1898 - 1976

The sculpture features abstract, geometric shapes suspended in balance. A large blue triangular shape is connected to an orange beam, serving as the central axis. On the opposite side, there are two distinct pieces: a white angular piece and a yellow triangular piece, separated by a small dark circular element. The base of the sculpture is a flat and semi-angular dark shape, supporting a thin, tall orange beam that elegantly ascends and branches out to hold the colored shapes. The sculpture is made of metal with vivid colors against a grey background, creating a dynamic and balanced appearance.

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Artwork overview

Medium

sheet metal and paint
Credit Line

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

overall (height): 63.8 cm (25 1/8 in.)
Accession Number

1991.7.15
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: 38, repro.

Inscriptions

on top of black base: CA / 76

Wikidata ID

Q63860622

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