“Portrait of the Red-Headed Woman”
For today, a stunning portrait by Amedeo Modigliani…
“Portrait of the Red-Headed Woman” is an oil on canvas painting by the Italian artist, Amedeo Modigliani. It was made in 1918, when Modigliani and his partner, Jeanne Hébuterne, were living along the Mediterranean coast in southern France. It is sometimes titled “Young Redhead in an Evening Dress”.
In this piece, Modigliani paints a young woman sitting on a chair in an evening dress. Her red hair is vibrant and short, depicting a modern haircut. Her black strapless dress is lingering further down her chest than seems appropriate. The woman is lounging on a chair, with her right arm over the back of the chair. Her left arm is seated on her lap, with her hand lost in the folds of her dress. She is staring at the viewer with an air of confidence. The identification of the sitter is unknown.
Modigliani uses coarse and broad-brush strokes to give texture to her skin. The warm tones of her arms and chest stand out brightly against the dull and blue cool tones of the background. Her lips are red, and her cheeks are flush. It is an intimate portrait.
Amedeo Modigliani was an Italian painter and sculptor who worked in Paris, France. He is known for his more modern, expressionist-style portraits. His sitters were unbashful, strong individuals who reflected modern ideologies and mannerisms. Modigliani was introduced to the African mask artform by the Romanian sculptor, Constantin Brâncuși. This greatly influenced him, which is reflected in his art through the elongated faces and almond-shaped eyes. The influence of this style is seen here. Modigliani was also influenced by Fauvism, Symbolism, and Cubism.
“Portrait of the Red-Headed Woman” is currently on display at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States.
For more on Amedeo Modigliani, please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
