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Constantin Brancusi
(French, born Romania, 1876 - 1957)
Mademoiselle Pogany I,1913, polished bronze with black patina.
Bequest of Mrs. Mabel Hussey Degen 1954.16

One of the most influential twentieth century sculptors, Constantin Brancusi was Romanian, but lived and worked most of his life in Paris. Mademoiselle Pogany I, is one of his most well known works and is based on a subject he returned to several times over the years. The model is Margit Pogany, a Hungarian art student who sat for Brancusi in December of 1910 and January 1911. The sculpture was originally carved from memory in marble and later four bronze castings were made. This is one of three bronzes that are still known to exist. The exaggerated large eyes and round face reflect Brancusi’s attempt to reveal something of the essence of the subject, while the black patinated hairline and chignon bears a closer resemblance to the sitter’s actual appearance.