Bronze Head of a Black Woman: Renaming and Reframing a Brâncuși Series

Abstract

Abstract In this paper I explore Constantin Brâncuși’s N*gress 1923–33 series, focusing mainly on the Bronze Head of a Black Woman (1926) in the collection of the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA), previously known as Blond N*gress. I begin by questioning the validity of the art historical canon and provide readers with a practical example of narrative reconstruction using an ethics-focused, feminist approach formed and executed within the walls of the TMA. I follow this with a broader investigation of Brâncuși’s representations of women to develop a more nuanced look at this canonical figure, while taking into consideration the author’s work with Bronze Head of a Black Woman. I conclude with a brief discussion on perceptions of value in the art world and the importance of continually reassessing museum narratives.