Publisher's Synopsis
Amedeo Modigliani's Rediscovered faces 93
93 portraits by Modigliani (Amedeo Clemente Modigliani) reflecting his diverse visual perspectives on friends and their stories.
Amedeo Modigliani, an artist integral to the spirit and pulse of modern art through his depiction of human inner turmoil and soul. Where does the wellspring of his artistic inspiration lie?
Born in Italy in the early 20th century and known as a French painter, Modigliani gained fame for his portraits characterized by elongated necks and slender limbs. Influenced by African primitive sculpture, he developed a distinctive style, portraying compassion for marginalized groups such as impoverished artists, people of the streets, and prostitutes. Primarily active as a portraitist and sculptor, he focused on the beauty of women, creating unique and beautiful forms. Combining influences from Italian Renaissance, Mannerist painting, and African sculpture, he presented original works.
His life in Paris's Montparnasse and Montmartre played a crucial role in expanding the horizons of modern art. Modigliani nurtured creative inspiration through interactions with renowned artists like Picasso, Brancusi, Diego Rivera, and various literary figures across disciplines, finding his own artistic expression. Struggling with health issues in his thirties, he shifted his focus from sculpture to painting, constructing an original style influenced by various artistic movements. His works delicately expressed conflicts and melancholy stemming from alcohol and opium addiction, marking his artistic maturity.
With a free-spirited and romantic nature, Modigliani also engaged in numerous romantic relationships, notably with Beatrice Hastings and Jeanne Hébuterne, reflecting both artistic passion and internal conflicts in his works.
In his portrait of Russian sculptor Oscar Miestchaninoff, Modigliani portrayed a nearly oval face, conveying a sense of childhood through a whimsical posture and childlike attire.
This book is a compilation of portrait works by Amedeo Modigliani, an artist who significantly influenced modern art with his unique style. It offers an opportunity to appreciate how his expressive capabilities were formed through his works and to broaden one's understanding of Modigliani's artistic progress and originality. By exploring the individuals Modigliani encountered and their artistic worlds, this book provides a deeper insight into Modigliani's artistic universe. It also includes concise and engaging stories about the lives and art of his friends who interacted with Modigliani and his works.
