''Gwenfritz'' is a painted steel abstract stabile, by
Alexander Calder
Alexander Calder (; July 22, 1898 – November 11, 1976) was an American sculptor known both for his innovative mobiles (kinetic sculptures powered by motors or air currents) that embrace chance in their aesthetic, his static "stabiles", and his ...
. It is located at the
National Museum of American History
The National Museum of American History: Kenneth E. Behring Center collects, preserves, and displays the heritage of the United States in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific, and military history. Among the items on display is t ...
, at
14th Street, and
Constitution Avenue
Constitution Avenue is a major east–west street in the northwest and northeast quadrants of the city of Washington, D.C., in the United States. It was originally known as B Street, and its western section was greatly lengthened and widened betw ...
, in
Washington, D.C.
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
It was dedicated on June 2, 1969. In 1983, it was relocated from the west front fountain plaza, to a corner location.
On October 31, 2014, the sculpture was rededicated after being restored and relocated to its original location.
It is named after Gwendolyn Cafritz, widow of
Morris Cafritz
Morris Cafritz ( - June 13, 1964) was a Washington, D.C. real estate developer, and philanthropist. As CEO of the Cafritz Company, he was Washington, D.C.'s largest private developer from the late 1920's to the early 1960's.
Early life and educa ...
, who had helped finance the project as head of the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation.
See also
*''
Cheval Rouge
''Cheval Rouge'' is an abstract sculpture by Alexander Calder.
Constructed in 1974 of painted sheet steel, it is at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is the most recent addition to the Nat ...
'',
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is the most recent addition to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is located on the National Mall between the National Gallery's West Building and the Smithsonian ...
*
List of public art in Washington, D.C., Ward 2
This is a list of public art in Ward 2 of Washington, D.C..
This list applies only to works of public art accessible in an outdoor public space. For example, this does not include artwork visible inside a museum.
Most of the works mentioned ...
References
External links
After 26 Years, The Smithsonian Will Put Alexander Calder's ''Gwenfritz'' Back Where It Belongs ''The Washington Post'', Blake Gopnik
*
*http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/the-gwenfritz-by-alexander-calder/
*http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM9CXY_Gwenfritz_Washington_DC
*http://siris-sihistory.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?&profile=all&source=~!sichronology&uri=full=3100001~!9319~!0#focus
Sculptures by Alexander Calder
1968 sculptures
Sculptures of the Smithsonian Institution
Abstract sculptures in Washington, D.C.
Outdoor sculptures in Washington, D.C.
Steel sculptures in Washington, D.C.
National Mall
{{US-sculpture-stub