Michael Brenner Michael Brenner was born in Lithuania in the year 1885. His brother, Victor, already established as a medallist in New York City, brought Michael and the family to New York in 1894. First apprenticed to his brother, Michael attended the renown Art Student's League school where Augustus St. Gaudens recognized his talent and encouraged his further studies in Paris, first more formally at the Beaux Arts and for two more years at the Academie Julian. His early work was well received, and he was soon embraced by the flock that centered about Gertrude Stein, a homing beacon for talent. Brenner became close with Stein, creating a portrait bust, of which she was very fond, and a unique, almost full size nude. Brenner was art director of the avant garde magazine, "The Soil," which published Stein's first writings. In Paris, Brenner kept his studio at 52 Rue Lhomond in the Quartier Latin (The Latin Quarter) until very near the time of his death in 1969. The poet Aleister Crowley sat for his portrait in 1908. Brenner's drawing was an important part of his artistic energy balance, sharing vigor with his classic, and most-often uncast (during his life)1, sculptures. The drawings provided essential elements for his clays and plasters, but also reflected his lifelong effort to achieve a higher level of spontaneous, complete, artistic truth. His work is in important American collections including the Baltimore Museum of Art, The Hirschorn Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life at the Bancroft Library Berkeley, California. Several books published here are available A video of his life and work can be found here.     Brenner-Brenner-Brenner-Brenner Jack Leissring: A book of Michael Brenner drawings and Joseph Brenner poetry,   Michael Brenner: Young Man Standing   Michael Brenner: Portrait Bust of Jospeh Brenner   Michael Brenner: Bust of Woman, Number I"   Michael Brenner: Standing Portrait of Gertrude Stein   Michael Brenner: Head of Woman   Michael Brenner: Bust of Young Woman (Bronze)   Michael Brenner: Woman with Closed Eyes   Michael Brenner: Head of Accomplished Woman   Michael Brenner: Head Study-Man of Character   Michael Brenner: Self-Portrait Number I   Michael Brenner: Torso, Young Man   Michael Brenner: Bust of Gertrude Stein   Michael Brenner: Portrait Bust of Aleister crowley (1908)   Michael Brenner: Bust of Woman: en face   Michael Brenner: Kneeling Man Bas relief Access more Brenner work here