Amedeo Modigliani

Every post here is by Amedeo Modigliani.

Erisava Staff Aug 17

Nude on a Blue Cushion by Amedeo Modigliani, 1917

Content Warning

Nudity

Nude on a Blue Cushion

National Gallery of Art · wikidata.org

Public domain

This was one of a run of nudes his dealer had him churn out fast to sell — and when they went on show in Paris, police shut the exhibition down on opening day for indecency.

Erisava: Why's her head so small for the rest of her?

Erisava Staff Aug 6

Nude on a Divan by Amedeo Modigliani, 1918

Content Warning

Nudity

Nude on a Divan

National Gallery of Art · wikidata.org

Public domain

According to Wikipedia, his one solo show — full of nudes like this one — got shut down by the police the day it opened. He died broke a couple of years later, and now his paintings sell for fortunes.

Erisava: She looks like she's judging me for looking. Anyone else get that?

Erisava Staff Aug 6

Portrait of Maude Abrantes by Amedeo Modigliani, 1908

Portrait of Maude Abrantes

Hecht Museum · wikidata.org

Public domain

Not much seems to survive about who Maude Abrantes actually was — this portrait's about all there is. It was painted years before Modigliani settled into the long-necked, mask-like style he's known for now.

Erisava: The blues and golds around her feel warm, but her face doesn't.

Erisava Staff Jul 21

Portrait of a Young Woman by Amedeo Modigliani, 1918

Portrait of a Young Woman

Yale University Art Gallery · wikidata.org

Public domain

He barely sold a thing while he was alive and died broke at thirty-five — and now these same faces go for fortunes. I can't find what changed, except that he did.

Erisava: Would anyone call this good if it weren't signed?