Constantin
Brancusi
Constantin
Brancusi
Brancusi
Romanian, 1876 — 1957
Constantin Brancusi was a trailblazer in modern Western art and a key figure in 20th century sculpture. Although close to the Paris avant-garde, he did not join any movement. He was very interested in non-western and archaic sculpture. Drawing on these references, he created pure works of art with a universal dimension.
A student of Auguste Rodin, Brancusi went his own way because, as he put it, "nothing grows in the shade of tall trees". He carved his sculptures to be extremely oversimplified in order to reveal the material’s vital, organic qualities. Bordering on abstraction, they repeat the same themes: The Kiss, The Bird, The Sleeping Muse. Brancusi photographed them in elaborate stagings where the unexpected play of light on shapes and materials changes the perception of the sculptures, which are timeless yet thoroughly modern.
His work was shown for the first time by the Pinault Collection at the 2015 "Slip of the Tongue" exhibition at the Punta della Dogana.
A student of Auguste Rodin, Brancusi went his own way because, as he put it, "nothing grows in the shade of tall trees". He carved his sculptures to be extremely oversimplified in order to reveal the material’s vital, organic qualities. Bordering on abstraction, they repeat the same themes: The Kiss, The Bird, The Sleeping Muse. Brancusi photographed them in elaborate stagings where the unexpected play of light on shapes and materials changes the perception of the sculptures, which are timeless yet thoroughly modern.
His work was shown for the first time by the Pinault Collection at the 2015 "Slip of the Tongue" exhibition at the Punta della Dogana.
