Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920)

Born in 1884 in Leghorn, Italy, Amedeo Modigliani, the fourth son of a Jewish banker, began his art career through study in both Florence and Venice before moving to Paris in 1906. Once there he quickly immersed himself in the city's stimulating artistic life, meeting people such as Picasso, Max Jacob, Kisling, and Lipchitz. He took note of the stylistic developments of the time—notably Fauvism, Expressionism, and Cubism—yet was most clearly influenced by Cezanne's portraits in their frontal three-quarter length presentation. In 1908 Modigliani, who lived in poverty most of his life, met Dr. Paul Alexander, virtually the only patron he was to ever have. A strong friendship was formed between the two men, and the doctor was the one responsible for introducing him to Brancusi. Modigliani quickened his interest in sculpture due to his contact with Brancusi, and soon picked up a linear style that revealed the influence of Romanesque figures and African masks. Modigliani was an eclectic artist and, while both a sculptor and painter, most of his finest paintings were done at the end of his short life. He died in 1920 at the age of 36. Although he was greatly influenced by Cubism and by Expressionism's elongation of form, all the influences he absorbed were subservient to an overriding sense of linear design, with its emphasis on continuity, grace, and suppleness. These characteristics seemed to express the influence of a much older tradition. Modigliani's work is notable for its air of remote, detached elegance.

DMA unpublished material.

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