Vue de l'atelier, c. 1924-1925

Vue de l'atelier, c. 1924-1925 is an intimate view into Brancusi’s studio and process, showing a multitude of materials used such as stone, marble, wood, plaster and bronze as seen in the above photograph that was taken the at the height of his career. This image features a number of variations of his seminal works such as Le Poisson and Le Nouvelle-Ne in polished bronze and Sleeping Muse, in addition to works in process such as preliminary sketches with chalk on blocks of wood yet to be carved.

'What is real is not the external form, but the essence of things.' -- Constantin Brancusi

Self-taught, with the exception of a brief lesson by his friend Man Ray, Brancusi used photography to document and analyze his creative process. His photographs offer a glimpse into the artist’s unique point of view through use of multiple angles and compositions to render his sculptures and his studio. The evolution and experimentation of his practice is captured through the juxtapositions and interrelationship between each work, creating not only a permanent visual record, but also an new conversation on how the sculptures are interpreted. His sleight of hand and unique approach to photography echoed his continuous investigation into the themes of mysticism, folklore and the gradual minimization of the physical form.