Supliciu

1903 – 14 July 1904

On foot from Bucharest to Paris

Later in 1903 Brâncuși leaves Bucharest for Western Europe, walking much of the way and working along the road to support himself; passing through Vienna, Munich and Basel, where he stays for a time, he arrives in Paris on 14 July 1904. Other accounts put his departure in 1902 and name poverty, indifference to his work and the coarse manners of his compatriots as the reasons.

1904

The first months in Paris: a dishwasher

During his first months in Paris Brâncuși works as a dishwasher at the Brasserie Chartier; when money is scarce, he assists at services in the Romanian Orthodox church on rue Jean-de-Beauvais.

June 1905

The École des Beaux-Arts: Mercié’s class and a scholarship

In June 1905 Brâncuși passes the entrance examination for the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and enters the sculpture class of Antonin Mercié. From 1905 to 1908 he receives an annual scholarship from the Romanian Ministry of Education.

1906

His first Paris salons

In 1906 Brâncuși exhibits for the first time at the salon of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts and at the Salon d’Automne; his works include the plaster sculptures “L’Enfant” and “L’Orgueil”. At the following salon of the Société Nationale he shows “Le Supplice”, a portrait of Nicolae Dărăscu and two heads of children.

1907

The turn to direct carving in stone

In 1907 Brâncuși moves away from modelling in clay, the method used to prepare sculpture for casting, and begins carving stone directly, adding wood soon afterward; he continues to make plaster and bronze versions as well. The methods he learned in Romania remain present in his handling of tools and his sustained contact with the material.

March 1907

A brief stint with Rodin, and the break

In March 1907 Brâncuși begins working as an assistant to Auguste Rodin but stays in his studio for only a few weeks (other accounts say two months): he prefers to find his own path and sums up the decision with the words “Nothing grows in the shade of large trees.”