Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920)
Born in Livorno, Italy he suffered with very poor health in his
adolescence. During his contraction of Typhus in his feverish state he
first expressed his wish to become a painter. He studied at Micheli's Art
School from 1898 to 1900 before moving to Paris in 1906. Modigliani
was well known for his substance abuse and womanizing ways. He
died of tuberculosis at age thirty-five. His nine-month pregnant wife,
Jeanne Hebuterne committed suicide the next day by throwing herself
off a building.
Movement
Expressionist movement began in Germany from approximately 1905-1920. Rather than
expressing a realistic portrayal their art expressed inner feelings. This opposed impressionist
ideals as the focus was on emotions rather than surroundings. The characteristics of this
movement are Distortion, exaggeration, elongation and primitivism. Although Modigliani fell
under this movement he had a very unique style not closely associated with any particular “ism”.
Influences
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Toulouse-Lautrec : In his early years the contours & flat washes of colour inspired
him
Picasso: Modigliani tried to incorporate the personality of his friends in their portraits
as influenced by Picasso’s Blue Period.
Cézanne : the design and brushwork inspired . Modigliani although he preferred the
human figure landscapes.
Matisse: Modigliani included Matisse’s sketchy lines and flat shapes in his work.
Constantin Brancusi introduced him to African sculpture creating his signature
“mask like” faces.
Characteristics of Modigliani work
Elongated proportions
Long nose and almond eyes
Painted portraits & nudes
Little to no chiaroscuro
Contoured shapes
Mask-like faces
Simplified
Reclining Nude, 1917
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The nude woman did not have any mythical context
contrasting the traditional pieces before him
Changed the way nudes were painted with his
unadorned sexuality as shown
1917, Modigliani's first one-man exhibition opened
and the police were called to remove the paintings as
they were seen as too scandalous
Like many of his nude painting the feet are not shown
Include his trade mark “mask like” face and elongation
of the body
Oil on canvas
Portrait of Jeanne Hebuterne, 1918
 Portrait of his common- law wife
 Less stylized
 Serene, suggests peace in his life
 Mother of his only child
 Committed suicide after his death at nine- months pregnant with their
second child
 Oil on canvas
The Jewess, 1908
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Solid shapes
Dark colors
Melancholy mood influenced by
Picasso's Blue Period
Embraced his Jewish decent
Oil on canvas
Portrait of woman, his usual choice in subjects