Much lauded in his lifetime for gracefully distorted portraits and luxuriant nudes, Italian born, Parisian-based artist/sculpture Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920) was known to few outside of the artist community. His fascination with African masks and sculpture is apparent in his sitters’ faces – almond eyes and twisted features that are flat masklike, and elongated forms. The influences of Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso, and Cezanne can be seen in Modigliani’s curved lines, planes, and spare composition. His paintings are strikingly idealized representations of feminine sexuality. Struggling with poverty, drinking and drug use, Modigliani died of tuberculosis at age 35.

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