How did The Prayer mark a change in Constantin Brancusi’s artistic style?

The Prayer, a sculpture of a kneeling young girl commissioned in 1907, marked a significant turning point in Constantin Brancusi’s career. It represented the first stage of his artistic evolution toward the use of simplified forms.1

Prior to this work, Brancusi’s early sculptures were heavily influenced by the sinewy, energetic style of Auguste Rodin. By creating The Prayer, Brancusi began to move away from this academic influence, eventually developing his signature style characterized by pure, organic, and abstract forms. This transition toward simplification paved the way for his later original works, such as The Kiss, which utilized direct carving to emphasize closed volumes and symmetrical lines.12