Amedeo Modigliani
Italy (1884—1920)Introduced to art and literature from an early age, Modigliani studied painting and drawing in Florence, Venice and later in Paris, where he soon became part of the artistic circle around the Bateau-Lavoir. Although initially drawn to sculpture, he turned to painting, developing an increasingly Expressionist style. In 1907 he met Paul Alexandre, who became his friend and patron, and after meeting Brâncuși he began to explore sculpture, whose simplified forms and defined lines also informed his painting. From 1917 he was closely associated with Léopold Zborowski, who organised his solo exhibition that same year. He also met Jeanne Hébuterne, with whom he had a daughter and whose presence had a positive influence on his work. His lifelong health problems, however, continued to deteriorate, and he died in 1920.
