Amedeo Modigliani

Life and Death July 12, 1884 – January 24, 1920 Italian Painter and Sculptor who worked primarily in France Contracted typhoid fever at an early age Battled lung disease and very poor health (including tuberculosis) for the rest of his life Became addicted to alcohol and drugs in an effort to mask his contagious illness Died at the age of 35 due to tubercular meningitis

Artistic Influences Lived during a time when most artists identified themselves as Impressionists or Cubists Refused to be categorized Chose to ignore the obsession with landscape that characterized French Impressionism Heavily influenced by the post- impressionist painters, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Paul Cezanne

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec At the Moulin Rouge, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Madame Cezanne, Paul Cezanne

Characteristics of Modigliani’s Paintings: Dominated by a sense of linear design – he used line to suggest body and form Used distortion as a way of highlighting his subjects

Characteristics Continued: Figures are aloof and dreamy Often have elongated, swan-like necks with sloping shoulders Haunting, empty eyes One interpretation is that his style is a reflection of his poor health