CHESS SET 1944

This playful chess set was fashioned by Alexander Calder, whose birth at the tail end of the 19th century placed him amidst rapid industrial change and two world wars. Calder, known for his innovative mobiles and stabiles, brings his signature sense of whimsy and balance to this functional object. The bold colors and simplified forms of the chess pieces—the red team against the blue—suggest a lighthearted take on strategy and conflict. The mid-20th century saw board games rise in popularity and were often seen as a symbol of leisure and intellectual engagement, yet underneath lies a historical tension: a game of chess is also a battleground for power, strategy, and dominance, reflecting human struggles and socio-political dynamics. Calder's choice of materials—likely wood—and his constructivist approach invite us to consider the artist’s vision of accessible art, made to bring joy and contemplation into everyday life.