Brâncuși's Monumental Ensemble & the Women Who Commissioned It

In 2026, marking 150 years since the birth of Constantin Brâncuși, a founding figure of modern sculpture, the Romanian Cultural Institute in London dedicates a special season of events to his life and work. The second event in the Brâncuși 150 series is organised in celebration of International Women’s Day and brings to the fore a remarkable yet often overlooked chapter in cultural history: the decisive role of women in the creation of the Târgu Jiu Sculptural Ensemble, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2024.

Organised in collaboration with the Târgu Jiu Municipality, the event highlights the civic, cultural and artistic contribution of the Women’s League of Gorj County, whose vision and determination made possible one of the most important monumental works of 20th-century art. Led in the late 1930s by Arethia Tătărescu, the League initiated and sustained the ambitious memorial project dedicated to the heroes…