Page 58 - International Iconic July 2024

A MILESTONE WORK

The presented lot is an iconic Modigliani creation, detailed

and fêted in Tête de Cariatide, a dedicated publication

The figural works of the iconic modernist carving and maintains its careful
Amedeo Modigliani are celebrated for compositional balance. Soulful and
their instantly recognizable style and intense, it reflects the exaggerated yet
are among the most coveted in the very elegant elongation characteristic
world of art collecting. Modigliani ranks of Modigliani’s figural paintings, which
among the world’s ten most valuable became his signature style.
artists of all time. Modigliani’s interest in African
The presented lot, a monumental and other non-Western art is well-
sculpture titled Tête de Cariatide (Head documented. This bronze resembles
of Caryatid), is a brilliant rendition of a tribal mask or ancient deity, with its
Modigliani’s renowned Tête series, exaggerated features and totemic
known for their timeless quality and appearance achieved through its
strong, stoic presence. Tête de texture, meditative presence, and
Cariatide embodies these attributes, sheer size. However, it also nods
offering a compelling insight into to the artist’s Italian heritage and
Modigliani’s greatest artistic passion. training. A caryatid, a staple of classical
This bronze figure is an enlarged architecture, is an ornate column in
casting of a wooden sculpture, the the form of a female figure, commonly
only known sculpture that Modigliani seen on temple façades, with the most
carved in wood rather than stone. famous examples on the Acropolis of Pages from the publication that detail the
It perfectly captures the rich wood Athens. This sculpture exudes the same presented lot, including sketches from the
grain texture of Modigliani’s original striking, memorable quality. artist and the lot’s official unveiling