CONSTANTIN BRANCUSI

Constantin Brancusi (February 19- 1876 – March 16 -1957), was an internationally renowned Romanian sculptor whose sculptures, which blend simplicity and sophistication, led the way for modernist sculptors.

Brancusi grew up in the village of Hobita Romania, Gorj, near Targu Jiu, near Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, an area known for its rich tradition of folk crafts, particularly ornate woodcarving. The simple geometric patterns of the craftsmen is seen in his mature works.

In 1903 Brancusi traveled to Munich, and from there to Paris. In Paris, he was welcomed by the community of artists and intellectuals brimming with new ideas. He worked for two years in the workshop of Antonin Mercié of the École des Beaux-Arts, and was invited to enter the workshop of Auguste Rodin. Even though he admired the eminent Rodin he left the Rodin studio after only two months, saying, “Nothing can grow under big trees.”

His works became popular in France, Romania and the United States. Collectors, notably John Quinn, bought his pieces, and reviewers praised his works. In 1913 Brancusi’s work was displayed at both the Salon des Indépendants and the first exhibition in the U.S. of modern art, the Armory Show.

In 1920 he developed a notorious reputation with the entry of “Princess X” in the Salon. The phallic shape of the piece scandalized the Salon, and despite Brancusi’s explanation that it was an anonymous portrait, removed it from the exhibition.

His work became popular in the U.S., however, and he visited several times during his life. Worldwide fame in 1933 brought him the commission of building a meditation temple in India for Maharajah of Indore, but when Brancusi went to India in 1937 to complete the plans and begin construction, the Mahrajah was away and lost interest in the project when he returned.

Places where can be admired works of ,,the great Brancusi”:

FRANCE – PARIS

INSTITUTE OF ART OF CHICAGO

MUSEUM OF ART PHILADELPHIA – PENSYLVANIA

TARGU JIU – ROMANIA

If you are near of these places would be a shame to not visit these sculptures, some of them you can see in the following photos: