About the artworkConstantin Brancusi strove to express the essence, the inner quality, in all his works. In 1928, the artist was commissioned to portray, his friend, the Irish writer James Joyce. Brancusi chose to focus on the writer's intellect, rather than his physical appearance. The work consists of a metal spiral set against a circular sheet of cardboard. The cardboard can be seen as Joyce's head, while the spiral could represent the author's ever deeper penetration of the human mind. The work consists of several materials. The cardboard sheet gives the impression of being soft, while the metal appears more lasting. The body perishes, but thought – the essence – is immortal. Signatures, inscriptions and marks Osignerad Selected exhibition history Pontus Hulténs samling (2004) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Jacqueline de Jong (den 26 februari 2012 - den 8 april 2012) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Den underjordiska himlen. Surrealism i Moderna Museets samling (den 26 oktober 2024 - den 17 januari 2027) Moderna Museet, Stockholm The Moderna Museet exhibition catalogues Pontus Hulténs samling Bibliography Pontus Hulten: artisti da una collezione; Milano, Skira 2006 [utställningskatalog: Venezia, Instituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti, Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti, 5 marzo - 9 luglio 2006; Con la collaborazione di Moderna Museet], s. 156-157. Pontus Hulténs samling..., red. Iris Müller-Westermann, Nathalie Meneau, Teresa Hahr, Margareta Helleberg, Moderna Museets utställningskatalog nr 321, Moderna Museet, Stockholm, 2004, s. 38-39. Territorium Artis: ed. Pontus Hultén, Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Verlag Gerd Hatje, Bonn 1992, s. 42-43.

Works by the artist