Modigliani Unmasked

BY: PROVOKR Editors

The exhibit at the Jewish Museum in New York looks at the artist after he arrived in Paris in 1906. In these years prior to World War l, Modigliani stopped painting and focused on drawing and sculpture. The works are arranged thematically and reveal the artist emerging. There are 130 drawings, 12 paintings and 7 sculptures in the curation. A large selection of the work comes from Modigliani’s first patron Dr. Paul Alexandre. some of the work displayed is rare. The exhibition also includes a selection of life studies and nudes which are breathtaking. Among these are of the Russian poet Anna Akhmatova whose exotic presence inspires Modigliani to introduce her to Egyptian art and in turn, the influences of Egyptian art in his work are felt everywhere.

Modigliani, an Italian Sephardic Jew, first experienced true antisemitism in Paris. In Italy, he did not feel ostracized for being Jewish. In Paris Modigliani started to introduce himself as, “My name is Modigliani. I am Jewish.” As a form of protest, he was refusing to assimilate and railed against the idea of racial purity in French culture. He began to boldly explore identity in this artistic melting pot in Paris. His drawings are stylized and very influenced by masks. You can also see him explore the small differences in a race through the mouths, eyes, and noses. Under his hand, simple sketches become studied explorations and reveal exquisite influences and yield amazing portraits. A beautiful curation unfolds like Modigliani’s work – full of imagination and incredibly transformative.