Alexander Calder (1898-1976) was an American artist best known for his innovative sculptures and mobiles. He was born into a family of artists in Philadelphia and studied mechanical engineering before turning to art.
Calder is credited with inventing the mobile, a type of kinetic sculpture that incorporates movement into its design. His mobiles were made of suspended shapes that would move and interact with each other in response to air currents. He also created large, abstract sculptures that were often installed in public spaces.
In addition to his sculptures, Calder also created a wide range of other artworks, including drawings, paintings, and jewelry. He was a prolific artist who worked in a variety of styles over the course of his career, but is best known for his innovative use of materials and his contributions to the development of modern sculpture.