Constantin Brancusi

Bird in Space

1932–40

The development of the bird theme in Constantin Brancusi’s oeuvre can be traced from its appearance in the Maiastra sculptures, through the Golden Bird group, and, finally, to the Bird in Space series. Sixteen examples of the Bird in Space sequence, dating from 1923 to 1940, have been identified. The streamlined form of the present Bird in Space, stripped of individualizing features, communicates the notion of flight itself rather than describing the appearance of a particular bird. This sculpture could have been cast as early as 1932 and finished in 1940. The support of the present example is incorporated as an organically irregular stem, providing an earthbound anchor for the sleek, soaring form. As was customary in Brancusi’s work, the brass is smoothed and polished to the point where the materiality of the sculpture is dissolved in its reflective luminosity.

Not on View

Artist Constantin Brancusi
Original Title L'Oiseau dans l'espace
Date 1932–40
Medium Polished brass
Dimensions 151.7 cm high, including base
Credit line Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice (Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York)
Accession 76.2553 PG 51
Collection Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Type Sculpture

Copy caption

Not on View


Other artworks

Constantin Brancusi

Maiastra

ca. 1912

On view