Constantin Brancusi

Constantin Brâncuşi (February 19, 1876 – March 16, 1957) was a Romanian-born sculptor who made his career in France. Brâncuşi grew up in the village of Hobiţa Romania, Gorj, near Târgu Jiu, close to Romania's Carpathian Mountains, an area known for its rich tradition of folk crafts, particularly woodcarving. Geometric patterns of the region are seen in his later works.

In 1938, he finished the World War I monument in Târgu-Jiu where he had spent much of his childhood. "Table of Silence", "The Gate of the Kiss", and "Endless Column" commemorate the courage and sacrifice of Romanian civilians who in 1916 fought off a German invasion. The restoration of this ensemble was spearheaded by the World Monuments Fund and was completed in 2004.

He died on March 16, 1957 at the age of 81 leaving 1200 photographs and 215 sculptures. He was buried in the Cimetière du Montparnasse in Paris (Wikipedia).

We had the opportunity to visit the three monuments:

Antonio and Francisco (Paco) next to The Gate of the Kiss

Beautiful words next to the Table of Silence

And the final ceremony next to the Endless Column