Paul Calle (American, 1928-2010)

Paintings

Who is painter Paul Calle?

Paul Calle is an American painter who is best known for his work in the NASA art program as well as a series of stamps he made for the US Postal Service. Calle was trained as a commercial illustrator, with notable covers for the Saturday Evening Post and several science fiction magazines of the 1950s and 1960s. It was in 1962 that Calle began painting members of the NASA Gemini missions as part of the NASA Art program.

Calle’s work spans many genres and styles. His work featuring the American West is featured in the collections of the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. His work has been shown at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Musuem. He was the official artist of NASA and designed the First Man on the Moon stamp for the US Postal Service, as well as several illustrations for the Department of the Interior.

What kind of art does Paul Calle make?

Paul Calle was an oil painter and commercial illustrator whose realistic depictions of the American West and space exploration was featured by NASA, the Saturday Evening Post, and the US Department of Interior. His work was also featured in several prominent science fiction magazines including Super Science Stories and Galaxy. Calle’s best-known work, whether it be of NASA or the American West are the postage stamps he created over nearly 25 years of work. He had several stamps featuring profiles of Gen. Douglas Macarthur, Helen Keller, Pearl S. Buck, and the Vietnam Memorial. Perhaps Calle’s most famous piece is the 25th-anniversary stamp he did to commemorate the United States moon landing in 1994.

How did painter Paul Calle get started?

Paul Calle was born in 1928 on the Lower East Side in Manhattan. His parents were solidly middle class, and the young artist received a bachelor’s degree in art from the Pratt Institute of Brooklyn. He soon after joined the US army, working as an illustrator during the Korean War. After returning home, Calle found work as a commercial illustrator, producing several notable covers for science fiction magazines as well as general interest magazines like The Saturday Evening Post. In 1962 he was selected to be among the first group of artists chosen for the NASA Art Program. These pieces would prove instrumental to the young artist’s career, introducing his work to a large audience and leading to further illustration work with the US Department of the Interior.

How much are Paul Calle paintings worth?

A Paul Calle can be worth anywhere from around a $1,000 for a minor piece to over $100,000 for major work. The most ever paid for a Paul Calle painting at auction is $102,000 for the painting When Trails Grow Cold (date not given) on November 14th, 2010. The most ever paid for a Paul Calle painting at a Heritage Auction is $25,000 for the painting Mountain Monarch (1976) on November 10th, 2012.

Where to buy Paul Calle paintings for sale?

See works for sale below. Why buy from Heritage? Art buyers feel confident because our experts know the market and put careful valuations on artwork for sale. We make the bidding process easier to help you expand your art collection.

How to value Paul Calle paintings?

The best way to value art is to compare past auction prices for similar works. View past sale prices below. When you’re ready to sell, contact Heritage Auctions to request an auction estimate of the likely selling price at auction. If you need a formal written appraisal for estate planning or insurance, please contact our Appraisal Services department.