Amadeo Clementine Modigliani (1884-1920) was an Italian painter and sculptor. He is famous for his unique style based on simplified, elongated forms, elegant figures and charming, long-necked women with engagingly tipped heads and mask-like faces. It echoes African art with art deco elegance.

Modigliani was born in Livorno and trained at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy. In 1906, he moved to Paris, where he exhibited several paintings at the Salon des Indpendants in 1908. Following the advice of Constantin Brancusi, he studied African sculpture.

In 1912, he exhibited 12 stone heads whose simplified and elongated forms reflect African influence. He returned to paining and achieved a sculptural quality by the strength of his contours and the richness of juxtaposed colours.

In 1917 he began painting a series of female nudes with warm colours and sensuous, rounded forms.

His work reflects his lifelong admiration for Italian Renaissance masters, as well as the influence of Paul Cézanne and Brancusi.

Plagued by health problems from the age of 11 on, he died in Paris at 36 years old of tuberculosis. Like Van Gogh, he was exceedingly poor. After his death, the prices for his paintings soared.

We at Primo Maestro Italia pay homage to Modigliani with a stunning lighting piece (which can be yours!) that is based on his portrait of Dedie (Odette) Hayden. He painted her portrait in 1918. It currently hangs in the Centre George Pompidou in Paris.

The painting mesmerized all of us due to Odette’s graceful tilt of the head and the elegance of her hands. She embodies noblesse, dignity and beauty.