Sunday, April 19, 2020

The Introduction of the Works by Amedeo Modigliani: 42. Pierrot (Self Portrait) (1915)



How are you?

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

The 42nd work to introduce for this week is “Pierrot (Self Portrait) (1915)”.

This work is an allegorical painting of an expressionist style and an oil painting on cardboard with the size of 43 x 27 cmIt is currently possessed by the National Gallery of Denmark in Copenhagen, Denmark.

National Gallery of Denmark

This work is a self-portrait of Modigliani, who expressed himself as Pierrot, and is the only self-portrait except the work that he painted in 1919. 

Self-portrait (1919)

In this work, Modigliani reflected Pierrot on himself in his memory, which he saw in the childhood at the Commedia dell'arte (the improvised play that was popular in Italy between the 16th and 18th centuries). 

A Commedia dell'arte street play during the carnival of Venice, Italy

The Pierrot was a subject that many artists were obsessed and preferred, including Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris, Jacques Lipchitz and AndrĂ© Derain. Modigliani often used Italian for the title of his work. 

Pierrot, Pablo Picasso (1918)

Pierrot, Juan Gris (1921)

Pierrot, Jacques Lipchitz (1919)

Harlequin and pierrot, Andre Derain (1924)

In this work, however, as if he wants to convey the French feeling itself, such as the feeling of the pierrot (painting) of Antoine Watteau and the pierrot (mime) of Jean-Gaspard Deburau, he used a French word, Pierrot instead of an Italian word, Pedrolino.

Pierrot, Antoine Watteau (c. 1718-1719)

Pierrots Repast, Deburau as Pierrot Gormand, Auguste Bouquet (c. 1830)

In this work, the speckled colors of the model’s face and neck are reminiscent of the motley suit of the Pierrot, a character in the Commedia dell'arte. The eye with a pupil also gives a feeling of being submerged in the memories of his childhood when he saw the Pierrot. In addition, the shadow in the background of the painting gives a feeling of suggestion that Modigliani painted this work by reflecting his past memories.

Thank you.



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