From 20 March to 9 August 2026, the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin is presenting, in cooperation with the Centre Pompidou in Paris, a major solo exhibition dedicated to the Romanian-French sculptor Constantin Brancusi. Featuring more than 150 works, it will be the first comprehensive exhibition of this exceptional artist in Germany in over 50 years.
Constantin Brancusi (1876–1957) is considered the founder of modern sculpture. After a traditional academic beginning, Brancusi developed his own distinctive style in Paris from 1907 onward. His organic sculptures, reduced to their essence, established him as a pioneer of sculptural abstraction in the early 20th century. Brancusi’s continuous search for an artistic ideal is reflected in the formal variations of a few central motifs and his playful use of different materials and surfaces. He continued to develop his themes, in some cases over decades, often accompanied by an increasing process of abstraction. Fragmentariness and a radical simplification of form are central elements of his art.
In addition to key works such as Sleeping Muse, The Kiss, Bird in Space, and Endless Column, the exhibition also features a partial reconstruction of Brancusi’s legendary studio. This ensemble, which the artist bequeathed to the French state in 1957 and which now belongs to the Centre Pompidou, is considered key to understanding his work—a laboratory of form and a direct testimony to his creative process. It will be shown outside of Paris for the first time.
From the 1920s onward, Brancusi primarily presented his works in his studio on Impasse Ronsin in Paris. For him, it was not only a place of work, but also an exhibition and living space. As the centrepiece of the retrospective, this studio space displays Brancusi’s tools, furniture, and artworks, complemented by an extensive selection of historical objects, documents, photographs, and films that tell the story of the exceptional artist’s work and life in an illustrated biography.
While Brancusi’s work is widely recognized in France, the artist remains relatively unknown to the broader public in Germany. This exhibition aims to raise awareness of his significance and give Brancusi the attention he deserves.
© Text and Photo courtesy of Neue Nationalgalerie
