The Works by Amedeo Modigliani: 100. Self-Portrait (1919)

 

How are you?

Modigliani Institute Korea (MIK) is currently introducing artworks of Amedeo Modigliani.

The 100th work to introduce for this week is “Self-Portrait” in 1919.

This work is an oil painting on canvas with the size of 100 x 64 cm and possessed by The Museo de Arte de Sao Paulo in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Museo de Arte de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

This painting is a self-portrait painted by Modigliani in 1919, actually the last year of his life. It is also the only oil self-portrait by Modigliani known, except for "Pierrot." 

Pierrot (1915)

He was a friend of artists who often painted people around them, such as Soutine and Kisling, but portraits of Modigliani by his friends are almost none. 

There are many photos of Modigliani showing his sophisticated poses, but the reason why there are very few portraits of him by painters may be that, unlike photographs, in the case of portraits that the painter's interpretation is largely reflected, even if the painter who drew him is his friend, he perhaps felt a sort of fear of how to interpret him. 

Also, Modigliani, who devoted his life to portraiture, was extremely reluctant to paint himself. In this painting, the thick scarf around Modigliani's neck suggests the artist's poverty and miserable life, even without firewood to withstand the harsh cold of winter. His pathetic gaze towards the viewer with an emaciated face resembles the death mask by his devoted friend Lipchitz made after his death.

Death Mask of Modigliani

Today, I am going to end the introduction of Modigliani's paintings that I have been with you for over two years

From next week, I am going to start a new program “Modigliani in Worldwide Museums”, introducing worldwide art museums that have Modigliani's paintings and Modigliani's paintings owned by the museums.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of you who have been reading my postings with a lot of interest.

Thank you.

Amazon Author Page

Lecture Program List

YouTube

Korean Blog

Naver TV

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 cm. It 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 André 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.

Lecture Program List

YouTube

Korean Blog

Naver TV

Naver Post