Agnes E. Meyer

1926–1928

Brancusi v. United States: a bird is a work of art

During the trip United States customs officials detain a bronze “Bird in Space”, classify it as an article of metal and impose the tariff applied to manufactured objects. The case “Brancusi v. United States” ends in 1928 with the sculpture being accepted as a work of art.

1927

Isamu Noguchi as his studio assistant

In 1927 the Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi works as an assistant in Brâncuși’s studio, sawing and polishing pieces, preparing the studio and keeping the tools sharp. The experience brings him closer to direct carving in stone and wood.

1929

A portrait of James Joyce for the Black Sun Press

In 1929 Harry and Caresse Crosby commission portraits of James Joyce from Brâncuși for the limited edition of “Tales Told of Shem and Shaun”, published by the Black Sun Press. He makes profile and frontal drawings and a composition formed from a spiral and vertical lines, which Caresse selects for the frontispiece: the book calls it “Portrait of the Author”, while Brâncuși uses the title “Symbol of James Joyce”.

1931–1934

Vera Moore: a relationship and the birth of a son, John

In 1931 Brâncuși meets the New Zealand pianist Vera Moore through the collector and curator Jim Ede, and they begin a relationship. John Moore is born in 1934; Brâncuși does not legally acknowledge him as his son.