How did African art influence Constantin Brancusi’s approach to carving?

Constantin Brancusi’s approach to carving was significantly influenced by African arts, which encouraged his adoption of the tradition of direct carving. Like many avant-garde artists of his time, Brancusi embraced this method, which emphasizes a direct, often rigorous engagement between the artist and the material.1

This influence is notably reflected in his wood sculptures, where he moved toward abstraction. For instance, his 1914 work The Prodigal Son is characterized by rough, direct carving in oak that abstracts human features. This commitment to direct carving became a hallmark of his practice, leading him to create a series of unique wood sculptures and to place great importance on the construction of his own sculptural bases.1