Constantin Brâncuși. Le origini dell'Infinito
One of the great sculptors of the 20th century comes to Rome this spring. The Mercati di Traiano hosts Constantin Brâncuși. Le origini dell'Infinito (The Origins of Infinity) from February 20 to July 19, 2026. The show marks the 150th anniversary of the sculptor's birth and runs as part of the Romania-Italy Cultural Year 2026.
About the Exhibition
Erwin Kessler, director of the National Museum of Art of Romania, curated this retrospective. It traces the archaic and classical roots of Brâncuși's sculptural vision. The show places his work in direct dialogue with the ancient imperial setting of the Mercati di Traiano.
Constantin Brâncuși (1876–1957) reshaped modern sculpture by reducing forms to their pure essence. Born in Oltenia, Romania, he trained in Bucharest and later moved to Paris. There he became one of the defining voices of 20th-century art. The exhibition traces two deep influences on his symbols and methods. The archaic carving tradition of rural Romania and the classical heritage of Rome both shaped his mature work.
Highlights and Works on Display
The exhibition presents nine original sculptures and a drawing, on loan from two Romanian institutions. These come from the National Museum of Art of Romania in Bucharest and the National Museum of Art in Craiova. Nine carved wooden pillars from Olthenian houses accompany the sculptures. Borrowed from the District Museum of Gorj "Alexandru Ștefulescu," they show how deeply folk carving shaped Brâncuși's imagery.
The monumental bronze Prayer takes center stage in the Great Hall. There it resonates with the ancient stone architecture surrounding it. The exhibition also showcases Brâncuși's use of taille directe (direct carving). He championed this technique at a time when most sculptors still used assistants to transfer models into stone.
Visitor Information
Opening Hours
The museum is open daily from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM, with last entry at 6:30 PM. It closes on May 1.
Tickets and Admission
The integrated ticket costs €19.50 for adults and €14.00 for reduced admission (non-residents). Residents of Rome and the Metropolitan City of Rome enter free with valid ID. Romanian and Moldovan citizens also get free admission for the full run of the exhibition, with valid identification. MIC card holders enter free as well.
Book online or by calling 060608 (daily 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM). You can also purchase tickets at the museum's ticket office on-site.
Getting There
- The museum sits at Via IV Novembre 94, 00187 Rome, near the Roman Forum.
- Take Metro Line B to Colosseo station and walk approximately 9 minutes along Via dei Fori Imperiali.
- Several bus lines stop along Via IV Novembre and Via dei Fori Imperiali.
For guided visits, accessibility details, and educational programs, call 060608 or visit the official exhibition page.
