Page 48 - International Iconic July 2024

AMED E O
MODIGLIANI

medeo Modigliani was born on July 12, 1884, in Livorno, Kisling, Jules Pascin, the Sitwells, Chaim Soutine, and Maurice
Italy. His childhood was marked by serious illnesses that Utrillo. His dealers were Paul Guillaume (1914–16) and Leopold
Acontinued to affect him throughout his life. At 14, he began Zborowski (by 1917). The only solo show he had in his lifetime was
studying painting. In the summer of 1902, he experimented with at the Galerie Berthe Weill in December 1917.
sculpture and the following year attended the Reale Istituto di Belle In March 1917, Modigliani met Jeanne Hébuterne, who
Arti in Venice. In early 1906, Modigliani moved to Paris, settled in became his companion and model. They lived in the south of
Montmartre, and attended the Académie Colarossi. His early work France, in Nice and Cagnes, from March or April 1918 until May 31,
was influenced by artists such as Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, 1919. Modigliani died on January 24, 1920, in Paris.
Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Modigliani’s sculptural interests translated into his paintings,
When Modigliani moved to Paris in 1906, most of the such as “Jeanne Hébuterne with Yellow Sweater,” where he
prominent avant-garde artists were exploring “primitive” forms. depicted Jeanne as a fertility goddess with a stylized face and
Inspired by Paul Gauguin’s sculptures, artists like Constantin blank eyes, reminiscent of a deity. The emphasis on her hips and
Brancusi, André Derain, Henri Matisse, and Pablo Picasso began thighs reflects ancient sculptures focused on reproduction. Both
creating archaic stone and wood sculptures. Brancusi, with whom this work and “Nude,” with their simplified, elongated faces,
Modigliani formed a close friendship, significantly influenced him. noses, and button mouths, suggest an interest in African masks.

“What I look for is neither reality nor unreality but the subconscious,

the instinctive mystery of the human race.”

This is evident in Modigliani’s carvings between 1909 and 1915, Modigliani predominantly painted human figures and
where he created idol-like heads and caryatids with monumental created at least 26 reclining female nudes. Although influenced
and simplified forms. by Modernist practices, he was also deeply rooted in tradition;
In the fall of 1907, Modigliani met his first patron, Dr. Paul the poses in “Nude” and similar works echo those of Titian, Goya,
Alexandre, who bought works from him before World War I. He and Velázquez. However, Modigliani’s figures are uniquely raw
exhibited at the Salon d’Automne in 1907 and 1912 and at the and sensual, often considered lascivious or pornographic, partly
Salon des Indépendants in 1908, 1910, and 1911. due to their depiction of body hair and his notorious lifestyle.
In 1909, Modigliani met Constantin Brancusi in His nickname, Modi, rhymes with the French word “maudit”
Montparnasse. From 1909 to 1914, he focused on sculpture but (accursed), likely a reference to his lifestyle. Modigliani died of
also drew and painted. Most of his paintings date from 1916 to tuberculosis, exacerbated by substance abuse and hard living.
1919. His early circle of friends included Max Jacob, Jacques Jeanne Hébuterne, pregnant with their second child, tragically
Lipchitz, and Portuguese painter Amedeo de Souza-Cardoso. committed suicide the day after his death, adding to the romantic
Later, he associated with artists like Tsugouharu Foujita, Moïse speculation surrounding Modigliani’s work.