1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Art History

Artists in 60 Seconds: Amedeo Modigliani

By Shelley Esaak, About.com

© Philadelphia Museum of Art; used with permission

Amedeo Modigliani (Italian, 1884-1920). Portrait of a Polish Woman, 1919. Oil on canvas. 100.3 x 64.8 cm (39 1/2 x 25 1/2 in.). The Louis E. Stern Collection, 1963.

© Philadelphia Museum of Art

Movement, Style, School or Type of Art:

Expressionism

Date and Place of Birth:

July 12, 1884, Livorno, Italy

Life:

Raised by an indulgent, free-thinking mother, Modigliani was encouraged to become an artist. After formal studies in his native Italy, he moved and acquired somewhat legendary status in Parisian artistic circles. Aside from his universally recognized talent, he also became the living embodiment of Montparnasse party life. Though he was also a talented sculptor, he is best known for his painted figure studies, characterized by oval faces and long, smooth lines.

Important Works:

  • The Jewess, 1908
  • Head, sculpture series, 1911-13
  • Madame Pompadour, 1915
  • The Sculptor Jacques Lipchitz and His Wife Berthe Lipchitz, 1916
  • Reclining Nude (Le Grande Nu), 1919

See pictures of Amedeo Modigliani's work in the Special Exhibition Gallery: Modigliani and His Times.

Date and Place of Death:

January 24, 1920, Paris, France

How To Pronounce "Modigliani":

moe·dee·lee·yah·nee

Sources and Further Reading

  • Klein, Mason; Berger, Maurice; et al.. Modigliani: Beyond the Myth.
    New Haven : Yale University Press, 2004.

    Compare Prices

  • Kruszynski, Anette. Amedeo Modigliani: Portraits and Nudes.
    Koln : Prestel, 1996.

    Compare Prices

  • Mann, Carol. Modigliani (World of Art).
    New York : W. W. Norton & Co, Inc., 1991.

    Compare Prices

  • Restellini, Marc. Modigliani: The Melancholy Angel.
    Milan : Skira, 2003.

    Compare Prices

  • Wayne, Kenneth. Modigliani and the Artists of Montparnasse.
    New York : Harry N Abrams, 2002.

    Compare Prices

Go to Artist Profiles: Names beginning with "M" or Artist Profiles: Main Index

Explore Art History

About.com Special Features

A Smarter Future

Tips that will help finance your education, excel in the classroom, and advance your career. More >

How to Ace the GRE

Being well prepared is the first step; here are more essential suggestions. More >

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Art History
  4. Artists A to Z
  5. Artists From A to Z
  6. Names Beginning With M
  7. Amedeo Modigliani Bio - Italian Expressionist Painter and Sculptor Amedeo Modigliani>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.