Constantin Brancusi
French (born Romania), 1876–1957

One of the most innovative sculptors of the early 20th century, Constantin Brancusi simplified outward appearances to express inner, universal beauty. This extremely refined image of a woman’s head is said to have been inspired by a young African woman whom the artist saw at a reception. A smooth oval represent the head. Its geometric surface is interrupted by three details: an elegant topknot, an ornament at the lower back of the head, and lips. Brancusi poised the head on the top edge of a white marble cylinder, which in turn is mounted on a cross-shaped limestone base.

While carved wood and stone sculptures established Brancusi’s early reputation, it is polished bronze works, such as Blond Negress I, that are his contribution to 20th-century art. In his hands this traditional material took on a radically modern appearance.

Bronze, marble, and limestone, 1926
Gift of Thomas T. Solley and Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey, and with funds from the Florence Scott Libbey Bequest in Memory of her Father, Maurice A. Scott, 1991.108
© Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York