MODIGLIANI AMEDEO

MODIGLIANI AMEDEO (1884–1920)

The outstanding Italian painter and the sculptor. Was born on July, 12th 1884 in Livorno. After training at painting school in Livorno at G.Mikeli, in 1902 Modigliani has arrived in Academy of arts in Florence, and a bit later – in Academy in Venice.

In the beginning 1906 it has arrived to Paris where was engaged in searches of modern art language. P.Pikasso has come under influence of P.Cezanne, Toulouse-Lotreka, a fauvism and a cubism, but as a result has developed own style for which rich and dense colour is characteristic. In November of 1907 Modigliani has got acquainted with the doctor we Weed Alexander who has removed for it studio and became the first collector of its works. The artist became a member of group Independent and in 1908 and 1910 exposed the works in their salon.
Acquaintance to sculptor Konstantin Brankuzi in 1909 has played a basic role in development of sculptural creativity of Modigliani. At Brankuzi Modigliani has got support and a valuable advice. These years Modigliani basically was engaged in sculpturing and studying of products of a classical antiquity, an Indian and African plasticity. In 1912 it has exposed seven sculptural products on Autumn Salon.
With the First World War beginning many friends Modigliani have left Paris. The artist was oppressed with changes in a life, unemployment, poverty. At this time he has met English poetess Beatrice Gastings from whom has lived two years. Modigliani was amicable with such different artists, as Picasso, Haim Sutin and Moris Utrillo, and also with collectors and businessmen – the Field Guillaume and Leopold Zborovskim. Last became the patron of the artist and supported its creativity.

These years Modigliani has returned to painting and has created, probably, most considerable products. The abstractness inherent in its products was a consequence of studying of art of ancient civilisations and the Italian primitive thing, and also influence of its friends of cubists; at the same time its works differ an amazing subtlety of the psychological characteristic. Later the formality of its creativity becomes more and more simple and klassichnoj, is reduced to a combination of graphic and colour rhythms.

In 1917 Modigliani at that time already very sick and inclined to alcoholism, has got acquainted with Jeanne Ebjutern, its become companion in the last years of life. Next year Zborovsky has organised a personal exhibition of the artist in gallery Berty Vejl. It had no success, but has caused scandal by several images of the bared nature: them have considered indecent, and on request of cloth police have been removed. Nevertheless some French and foreign collectors have shown interest to Modigliani's works. In 1918 artist has gone on Azure coast for rest and treatment and has stayed there some time, continuing to work persistently. Modigliani has died soon after returning to Paris, on January, 24th 1920. In the morning of next day Jeanne Ebjutern has committed suicide.
In Modigliani's works cleanliness and refinement of style, symbolism and humanism, pagan feeling of completeness and impetuous pleasure of a life and pathetic experience of torments always restless conscience are combined.