Constantin Brancusi, often considered the father of modern sculpture, was a painter, draughtsman, and a master of 'Abstract Art.' Born on February 19, 1876, in a small village of Hobita, Romania, he belonged to a very poor family of peasants. Consequently, Brancusi had a tough childhood and teen, wherein he had to undertake hard labor through various menial jobs. Since the tender age of seven, he had to share his family responsibilities as a shepherd and later on, as a servant in the nearby town of Craiova, where he worked for almost five years in similar capacity.
Brancusi's remarkable talent remained largely undiscovered for almost eighteen years of his life, when it caught the attention of his employer, who sponsored his education at Craiova ^coala de Meserii. The artist utilized this opportunity with full zest, learning reading and writing, apart from pursuing his interest in wood designing. He passed out of the institute in 1898, and enrolled himself in the Bucharest School of Fine Arts for training in sculptures, finally graduating in 1902.
One of his most celebrated works, "Écorché" (1903), which meticulously reveals the inner muscular structure of a male body, remains a masterpiece for anatomical studies. The same year, Constantin Brancusi set his sails towards Paris, passing through Munich, where he stayed for the most of his life. Initially, he worked with French sculptors, Antonin Mercié and Auguste Rodin, only to branch out later to carve out a niche for himself.
Nevertheless, Rodin's 'Impressionism' greatly inspired Constantin's art, as manifested in his creations during 1905-07 - "Children's Head" (series), being the most distinguished one out of these. Brancusi's first recognized commission, "The Prayer," which features a kneeling young woman, was designed for a gravestone structure. His first exhibition dates back to 1906, at the Paris Salon in the first part, and the Salon d'Automne, later in the year.
Constantin Brancusi became a pioneer of metal carving, but did not remain limited to it. Wood and stone found equal places in his sculptures, set in with great dexterity. By the year 1908, Brancusi had gained due recognition for his works in France, Romania, and the US. With the passage of time, in an attempt to simplify his delineations, Brancusi began adding the elements of abstraction in his works, diverting his attention more towards the primitive art forms. Some of his classic works include the "Mademoiselle Pogany" series (1912-1933), "Magic Bird" cycle (1912-1915), "Bird in Space" cycle (1919-1940), "Fish" cycle (1922-1930), and the "Endless Column" series (1918-1937). Despite his high acclaims, his work "Princess X" of 1920 drew a lot of dissension for its notorious alludes to the great grand niece of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Constantin Brancusi reached the pinnacle of his career by his "Târgu Jiu ensemble," a tribute to the Romanian patriots of the First World War, whom he held in highest regards. In his later years, his public presence became less, and his interest in creating new pieces, even lesser. He breathed his last on March 16, 1957, leaving behind a rich legacy of monumental works, for the 'Modern Art' to beckon.
Source : Ezinearticles
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