Bird in Space, 1931
Constantin Brancusi
Romanian, 1876-1957
Polished bronze
73 in. (185.4 cm)
The Norton Simon Foundation
F.1972.08.S
© 2008 Artist's Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris
On view
Bird in Space is a synthesis of Brancusi's belief that "what is real is not the external form, but the essence of things." Bird in Space represents the essence of flight. A recurring theme in Brancusi's sculpture is that of the bird. His earliest sculptures on this subject were clearly derived from a bird's anatomy. Over a period of years, through elongation and simplification, all superficial likenesses to the bird were eliminated so that what remains is soaring form.
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