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.
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| 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."
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| 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.
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| 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.
