Wisdom
<p>Constantin Brancusi carved <em>Wisdom</em> from a block of limestone, highlighting its natural properties, especially its coarse texture. The artist’s interest in the stone’s materiality intersected with his desire to explore the essence of his subject in the most economical terms, evident in the form’s shallow, incised nose and tightly folded limbs. Brancusi further distilled his subject to its core by creating a figure that stands freely, without a base.</p> <p>In contrast to sculptors who modeled their work from materials such as clay or plaster and cast them in multiples, Brancusi directly carved his sculptures. He called this technique “the true road to sculpture” and drew inspiration from archaic, self-taught, and non-Western art.</p>
Catalogue
- Year
- 1903
- Medium
- Limestone
- Dimensions
- 56.5 × 18.4 × 36.3 cm (22 1/4 × 7 1/4 × 14 1/4 in.)
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Artist
- Constantin Brancusi
Artist
Sculpture
C onstantin Brâncuși was a revolutionary modern sculptor known for his sleek, abstract forms that redefined the boundaries of figurative sculpture. Discover Brâncuși’s biography, groundbreaking artistic techniques, and the lasting impact of his iconic works held in major museum collections and top auction results worldwide.
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More by Constantin Brancusi
Bird in Space
1941 · Bronze 6' (182.9 cm) high, on two-part stone pedestal 17 3/8" (44.1 cm) high
Untitled (Endless Column)
1937 · Gelatin silver print
Untitled
1934 · Gelatin silver print
Untitled (View of the Studio with Endless Columns III and IV, The Fish, Leda, and Cup II)
1933 · Gelatin silver print
Blond Negress II
1933 · Bronze 15 3/4" (40 cm) high, on four-part pedestal of marble 3 5/8" (9.1 cm) x 3 3/4" (9.4 cm) in diameter, limestone 9 7/8 x 14 5/8 x 14 1/8" (25 x 37.1 x 36.2 cm), and two oak sections (carved by the artist) 7 3/8 x 14 3/8 x 14 1/4" (18.6 x 36.3 x 36.2) and 35 1/2 x 11 x 11" (90.2 x 28 x 28 cm), overall 71 1/4 x 14 1/4 x 14 1/2" (181 x 36.2 x 36.8 cm)
Untitled (self-portrait in the studio with Endless Columns I, III, III and Fish)
1933 · Gelatin silver print
Record
Verified by WattsOS- Artist
- Constantin Brancusi
- Year
- 1903
- Medium
- Limestone
- Dimensions
- 56.5 × 18.4 × 36.3 cm (22 1/4 × 7 1/4 × 14 1/4 in.)
- Watts ID
- WW-1903-131857
Source
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Source
- aic
- Reference
- View at source
- Status
- verified