Amedeo Modigliani Art

Amedeo Modigliani 1884-1920 Italian Tête de cariatide Head of Caryatid Signed “Modigliani” and numbered “1/8” (near base) Bronze The figural works of the iconic modernist Amedeo Modigliani are known for their instantly recognizable style, and they are among the most coveted in the world of art collecting, with Modigliani ranking among the world’s ten most valuable artists of all time. This monumental bronze, conceived by the artist in 1910, demonstrates his mastery of sculpture. Sculpting was the artist’s self-proclaimed first and true passion — a fact sometimes overlooked due to the success of his paintings and the overwhelming rarity of his sculptures. His famed Tête series from which this bronze hails stands as his most important sculptural output, with works recognized for their timeless quality and strong, stoic presence. Tête de cariatide reflects these qualities and provides a compelling glimpse into Modigliani’s greatest artistic passion. This bronze is an enlarged casting of a wooden sculpture — the only known sculpture that Modigliani carved in wood rather than stone. Commissioned posthumously by Modigliani’s daughter Jeanne alongside the Modigliani Institute, the bronze iteration here perfectly captures the rich woodgrain texture of Modigliani’s original carving and retains its careful compositional balance. Soulful and intense, it reflects the exaggerated yet elegant elongation of the artist’s figural paintings, which became his much sought-after signature style. Modigliani’s interest in African and other non-Western art is well-documented. This bronze is reminiscent of a tribal mask or ancient deity, both due to its exaggerated features and the totemic appearance achieved by the work’s texture, meditative presence and sheer size. Yet the work also alludes to the artist’s Italian heritage and training. A caryatid is a staple of classical architecture, an ornate column...