Brancusi, Princesse X
One of the foremost sculptors of the 20th century, Constantin Brancusi redefined the medium through his progressive experiments in the simplification of form, using a variety of materials to capture its essence in three dimensions. Unlike many of his contemporaries, the artist took an active approach to creating his sculptures and carved them individually. Despite its phallic shape, Princess X was based on the notoriously vain Marie Murat Bonaparte; the sculpture’s curved neck suggests the princess’s habit of constantly gazing at herself in the mirror she carried with her.Constantin BrancusiRomanian1876Hobitza, Romania1957Paris, France 
Princess X1909–16Marble with caen-limestone base22 × 11 × 9University of Nebraska–Lincoln, gift of Mrs. Olga N. Sheldon in memory of Adams Bromley SheldonU-418.1963
Princess X1909–16Marble with caen-limestone base22 × 11 × 9University of Nebraska–Lincoln, gift of Mrs. Olga N. Sheldon in memory of Adams Bromley SheldonU-418.1963