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Mademoiselle Pogany I, 1913
Constantin Brancusi (Romanian, 1876-1957)
Polished bronze with black patina
Bequest of Mrs. Mabel Hussey Degen 1954.16
ADOPTED
Conservation of this artwork was made possible by generous contributions from Robert E. Kulp Jr. through the Adopt-an-Artwork program [2017]
One of the Speed’s greatest treasures requires some essential TLC. The beautiful Mademoiselle Pogany is suffering from a discolored surface coating that has aged poorly. Cleaning tests revealed that when the coating is removed, the bronze has a brighter appearance, but there is still a layer of overall corrosion, which darkens the surface.
Fortunately, the black patina is in good condition—only the highly polished areas have suffered. Upon close inspection, there are small dents and scratches in the bronze. The deep recess between the lady’s neck and forearms has collected debris, and there is a thin layer of dirt and grime present overall.
Treatment will necessitate the careful removal of the discolored coating, followed by an overall surface cleaning and polishing, and the possible application of a protective coating.
