Master sculptor Brancusi finally shown in prudish Paris

The Romanian modernist, blocked for 30 years by bureaucracy and accusations of obscenity, finally has a blockbuster exhibition at the Pompidou Centre
Constantin Brancusi, pictured in 1933, was known for his direct carving technique
Constantin Brancusi, pictured in 1933, was known for his direct carving technique
CENTRE POMPIDOU

After a series of run-ins with overzealous and sometimes prudish officials, the Romanian master Constantin Brancusi preferred people to see his sculptures in his studio on the Left Bank.

He died in 1957 and it has been 30 years since France, his adopted country, has held a blockbuster Brancusi exhibition, museums arguing that insurers are reluctant to underwrite the cost of transporting his works — which can sell for tens of millions of dollars — around the world.

The Pompidou Centre in Paris set out to put things right when it opened a Brancusi retrospective this week featuring 120 sculptures, including loans from galleries such as Tate Modern and New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

Large exhibitions of Brancusi’s works are rare, as they cost huge sums to insure
Large exhibitions of Brancusi’s works are rare, as they cost huge sums to insure
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP VIA GETTY

There are also photographs, drawings and films by him as