Amedeo Modigliani: Portraits And Nudes

Numerous high-quality reproductions accompany this in-depth examination of Modigliani’s career, from the penetrating psychological studies of his early portraits, through the more stylized images such as the graceful figures with the famous almond-shaped eyes and swan-like necks, to his mature depiction of nudes, which have become symbols of femininity. Although Modigliani led the life of the turn-of-the-century bohemian in Paris, dying at the young age of 35, his restless life is scarcely reflected in his paintings. The author shows how his works are characterized by cool detachment and often archaic austerity. This fascinating study reveals how Modigliani drew his inspiration not so much from the avant-garde movements of the time, such as Cubism, Fauvism, and Futurism, as from the artists of the Renaissance and Rococo periods.