Madmoiselle Pogany
I've recently discovered an beautiful sculpture made by an amazing Romanian artist named Brâncuși and I think it doesn't get the credit it deserves.
This famous sculpture called “Mademoiselle Pogany” has been a very interesting debate between critics, enjoyers of art and normal people alike on the main meaning behind its enlarged eyes and overall alien-like appearance. When I look at this sculpture, I find meaning behind the artist’s deliberate choice of material, sculpting style, and the very interpretive, simplistic nature of his craftsmanship.
I consider the figure distant, but not in a cold way, and also very powerful, because it holds a steady knowing gaze. I see her as a very calculating person, maybe cold on the exterior but her eyes tell a gentle soul that is warm and beautiful.
This work of art has its characteristic wide eyes, along with her narrow nose and thin subtle creases above the eye that represent the eyebrows and her barely-recognisable mouth . These very small features just enhance the illusion of very large eyes. There are some extensions from the head, what they are is very interpretable to the observer. They could be wings, hair, hands, textile, the list goes on. The top of the head is darker, representing her hair. What is rarely observed is the bump at the back of her head that represents a bun, that gives a touch of femininity. The side profile is round, oval-like that induces the idea of the feminine gaze. As you can see, the side profile actually depicts the feeling of a soft, lingering sensitivity, a warmth only characteristic to a woman’s presence.
What Brancusi is known for is his ability to simplify even the most complex of concepts, like the infinite (coloana infinitului) or action, movement (pasarea maiastra) capturing only the essence. Here, in this case, he did it beautifully, he simplified and transformed her. At first sight, something estranged from our world, but up close, or, more exactly, in a different perspective, he actually molded the pure essence of femininity.
Mademoiselle Pogany is clearly not an ordinary sculpture. It holds deep meaning and symbolism. Starting from the top of her head, which is darker, it is more than just a representation of her hair, it also incorporates the idea of intelligence. This idea is carried not only by this, but also by her very large eyes. The material she’s made,bronze, is very shiny. Therefore she reflects anyone who dares hold her gaze. It depicts the idea of seeing yourself in other people. The reflection is usually a distortion of reality, as you look at her, you see a whole other world. You can understand the idea of people living in their own worlds, but seeing and enjoying other people’s worlds, perspectives is a very challenging concept. Actually, it is the foundation of mutual attraction, friendships and love. There were other replicas of this sculpture made out of marble, those were intended to depict purity.
Usually, sculptures have eyes with irises, dents, a replication of the human anatomy, but here it isn’t the case. In this sculpture, Brancusi captures the essence of the eyes, which are the reflection of the soul. It was made in a sort of way that, looking into her eyes you see a dimension of shapes and irregularities that may look unusual to the naked eye, but it represents the fluctuations of feelings and waves of life.
Looking at her mouth, which is a barely-recognisable dent, you can again recognize the artist’s intention of depicting intelligence to the viewer. It creates the impression that the woman thinks more than she speaks.
The metal extensions along her neck I think give the impression of shoulders, a neck and hands altogether. They represent hands because Brancusi found Pogany resting on her hands very often, being a gesture of contemplation. This is seen from the side profile very clearly. I do not exclude the idea of wings, because the sculpture, because it is golden, looks divine, pure, just like an angel.
In conclusion, Mademoiselle Pogany is a priceless work of art that induces a non-traditional mimesis,that represents not a raw replication not of physical reality, but a more abstract one, of the soul.