Constantin Brancusi
Romanian, 1876 ‑ 1957
Mademoiselle Pogany I, 1913
Polished bronze with black patina
25 1/8 × 12 1/4 × 14 5/8 in. (63.8 × 31.1 × 37.1 cm.)
Bequest of Mrs. Mabel Hussey Degen  1954.16

Beautiful Muse
Margit Pogany, a Hungarian art student, sat for Brancusi in his Parisian studio from December 1910 to January 1911. After she went away, Brancusi was inspired to create a series of sculptures that would capture the essence of her appearance. By simplifying and refining her features, Brancusi reduced Margit Pogany’s round face, large eyes, and sleek black chignon to the purest and simplest of forms.