The Introduction of the Works by Amedeo Modigliani: 9. Head of a Young Woman

How are you?

Modigliani Institute Korea (MIK) is currently introducing artworks of Amedeo Modigliani one by one every week.

The 9th work to introduce this week is “Head of a Young Woman (1908)”.

This work was painted in the early Paris period, from 1906 when Modigliani moved to Paris to 1909 when he was immersed in sculpture.

This painting, showing thick black outlines, intensely emphasized lipstick and fiery impressions, is reminiscent of the work of German Expressionists such as members of the Die Brücke (The Bridge).

The Die Brücke was a group of German Expressionist artists formed in Dresden, Germany in 1905, and compared to the French Fauvism. 

The two groups shared an interest in the primitive art and expressing extreme emotions through very unnatural dark colors.

In addition, this painting shows the effect of Cloisonnism, a technique that simplifies the motives and emphasizes the outlines, which was attempted by repulsion of Impressionism and Naturalism.

This period was a time when Modigliani was still looking for his own style but had not yet established it.

Therefore, in this painting, we can find a trace that Modigliani tried various styles to find his own style.

Paris was also in the Belle Epoque era when Modigliani painted this work in Paris.

However, Modigliani, who insisted on his own world without following the trends of the times, painted this work with excluding the softness of the portraits, and a fiery feeling without any skill, not following the trends of the times.

Thank you.