The “Măiastra” originates from a well-known Romanian folk legend in which Prince Charming is guided by the Măiastra to the castle in the forest where the legendary beauty was imprisoned. The Măiastra is not just any bird; she is the queen of the birds of a magical realm and thus symbolizes liberation, victory, and joy.
Constantin Brâncuși sculpted the “Măiastra” in 29 variations between 1910 and 1944, reflecting its central role in his pursuit of reproducing “the essence of flight” in a static form of perfect balance. This passion for perfection mirrors Brâncuși’s aspiration toward transcendence and spirituality.
The sculptures of the “Măiastra” series display varying degrees of stylization and synthesis of detail from one work to another. Their profile gradually elongates, pushing the limits of the marble’s structural resistance, until achieving the perfection of a pure symbol.
Passionate about flight, Brâncuși dreamed of sculpting the ascent of form beyond the earth, toward eternal liberation. Initially inspired by Romanian folk art and folklore, each new version progressively distances itself from folkloric imagery, gradually shaping an increasingly stylized vision.
Brâncuși presented his sculpture “Măiastra” alongside Sleeping Muse and Miss Pogany to the American public at the International Exhibition of Modern Art in New York in 1913. In America, “the poet of carved forms” and his works were highly acclaimed, especially the sculptures from the famous “Măiastra” series.
In 2005, at an auction in the United States, Brâncuși’s “Măiastra” was sold for the extraordinary sum of 27.5 million dollars.
Many monumental bird-cycle projects were never realized, such as the bird intended to soar atop the Endless Column or the one planned for the square in front of the Rockefeller building, among many others.
Bibliography:
1. Mircea Deac, Constantin Brâncuși, Ed. Meridiane, București, 1966.
International editions: