Artist profile

Naum Gabo

Linear construction in Space No.1 (c. 1950)

Perspex with nylon monofilament
21 x 21 x 5.6 cm (ref:NG0311)

Study in Colour (D381) (c. 1960s/70s)

Pastel and crayon on tracing paper
55.6 x 45.3 cm (ref:NG0185)

Naum Gabo was one of the world’s foremost Constructivist sculptors. Born in Russia, named Naum Neemia Pevsner, he was the younger brother of artist Antoine Pevsner. He abandoned a medical career and began to study in Munich. In 1910 he met Kandinsky and in 1913/14, while visiting his brother, then a Cubist painter in Paris, he met other artists. In 1915 he made the first constructions using the name Gabo. He returned to Russia in 1917 and become embroiled in art and politics. He and Pevsner opposed Tatlin and in 1920 they issued their ‘Realistic Manifesto’. 

He had to leave Russia, spending the years 1922–32 in Berlin, lecturing at Bauhaus in 1928, before going to England. He spent seven years in Cornwall meeting Hepworth, Nicholson, Lanyon and others. In 1946 he settled in America, taking citizenship in 1952.

Biography

1890
Born Briansk, Russia. Named Naum Neemia Pevsner
1910–14
Enrolled in medical faculty at University of Munich and then switched to natural science in 1911
1914
At outbreak of war went to Copenhagen, Bergen, and then Oslo with younger brother Alexei
1915
Made first constructions using the name Gabo.
1917
Returned to Russia
1920
First public exhibition in the open air on Tverskoi Boulevard, Moscow. Wrote Realistic Manifesto, published in Moscow, which was also signed by brother Antoine
1922–32
Lived and worked in Berlin
1928
Lectured at Bauhaus
1932
Left Germany for Paris
1932–35
Member of the group Abstraction-Création
1935–46
Lived in England
1946
Left England for the United States
1953–54
Professor at Harvard University Graduate School of Architecture
1954
Awarded Guggenheim Fellowship. Awarded Mr and Mrs Frank G. Logan Medal of the Art Institute of Chicago
1977
Died in Waterbury (Connecticut), USA

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