How imperceptible can the “essence” be and still be the essence? I saw a marvellous exhibit of the almost imperceptible in the form of Brancusi sculptures at the Pompidou Centre recently. The gallery space set off his work beautifully. Perhaps the most stunning vision was his bird sculptures set against floor to ceiling windows revealing the sky and the cityscape of Paris. Apparently influenced by Clycladic (first image) and African art, his sculptures of female heads were the most beautiful. Another very striking element is the plinths, often rough in texture and the antithesis of the main sculptural work.