Lot 67: ALEXANDER STIRLING CALDER (1870-1945) Star Maiden

ALEXANDER STIRLING CALDER (1870-1945)
Star Maiden
inscribed ‘Stirling Calder MCMXV’ and ‘Copyright 1914 Panama
Pacific International Exposition Co.’ (on the base)
cast composite on wood base
height: 52 1/2in
height with base: 79 1/2in

Provenance:
Estate of Sylvia McLaughlin, Berkeley, California.
In 1912, Calder was named acting-chief of the sculpture program for
the Panama-Pacific Exposition, a World’s Fair scheduled to to open
in San Francisco in February of 1915. Calder set to work in a studio
in NYC and there employed the services of a popular model named
Audrey Munson who posed for Star Maiden. The work was conceived
as one of the figures for the Colonnade of Stars, which overlooked the
magnificent Court of the Universe, the central court at the Exposition.
Star Maiden became an iconic image for the Panama Pacific
International Exposition, and was used as the central motif for the
gold and silver badges of the fair officials.
Please note this lot will only be available for preview in San Francisco.