Basic Art Series: Modigliani

Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920) left an indelible mark on art history with his endless odes to the female form. His languid and sensuous female subjects, with their striking almond eyes and swan-like necks, have become instantly recognizable.

Modigliani's unique figuration was a reflection of his personal idea of beauty, but it drew upon a rich variety of visual influences, including contemporary Cubism, African carvings, Cambodian sculptures, and 13th-century Italian painting. Although he is most renowned for his nude females, Modigliani also applied similar stylistic techniques to portraits of his male artistic contemporaries such as Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, and Chaïm Soutine.

This book showcases key works from Modigliani's highly individualistic repertoire, introducing the brief but revered career of this early modernist at the heart of Paris's avant-garde scene.