The sculpture “Helen Wills II,” created by Alexander Calder in 1928, belongs to the Expressionism art movement and falls within the sculpture genre. This artwork represents Calder’s distinctive use of abstracted forms and his predilection for creating innovative three-dimensional objects.
The sculpture itself is an abstract representation, which is characteristic of Calder’s wire sculptures, combining fluidity with a sense of motion. It depicts a figure in action, suggested by the form of the wire that curves and loops to create the likeness of a body. The figure seems to be engaged in a dynamic movement, capturing a moment of physical expression. The design is minimalistic, using the wire’s contour lines to suggest features and form, and it is mounted on a simple wooden base to enhance its display. Calder’s skillful manipulation of the wire medium results in an artwork that is airy and enigmatic, leaving much to the viewer’s imagination.
