MODIGLIANI

Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920) stood only five foot five inches tall, handsome, hugely attractive to women, addicted to drink and drugs, living in a Parisian garret, he died young on the verge of discovery as an artistic genius. His human subjects invariably have almond-shaped eyes with long, slightly twisted noses, small, pursed mouths, and elongated necks. Most of his works are semi-formal portraits that radiate a somewhat sculptural quality reflecting his early roots as a sculptor. Although their faces remain expressionless, he infuses them with personality. With his languorous and elongated nudes, he scandalised the polite world, outrageous because they showed bodily hair, something historically not portrayed in fine art. Born an Italian Sephardic Jew in the port town of Livorno on the northwestern coast of Tuscany, he sold few paintings and drawings in his lifetime, more often giving them away in exchange for a meal or as a token of friendship. His excesses earned him the nickname Modi, the French word moudit meaning 'cursed'. Honoured at his death by Léger, Derain, and even Picasso, the romance, passion and tragedy of his life was echoed after the death by the suicide of his pregnant 22 year old lover Jeanne Hébuterne who orphaned their 14 month old daughter. Compact hardback packed with colour photos on every page, index. 15.5cm square. 84 pages.