Author(s): Nancy Ireson

Art

Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920) produced some of the most memorable art of the early twentieth century. Born in Livorno, Italy and working in Paris from 1906, he was unappreciated in his lifetime but has come to be regarded as one of the most influential figures of early modernism. In a tragically short career, experimentation and innovation were consistent priorities. This ambitious new monograph will be the most comprehensive book on the artist published to date, covering all aspects of Modigliani's brief yet seminal career. Drawing on new scholarship, it will present the artist in a new light, moving away from the historical tendency to interpret his work through the lens of his biography. The book brings together Modigliani's paintings, sculptures and drawings alongside comparable works by his peers, such as Jacob Epstein and Paul Cezanne, who were significant formative influences, as well as Brancusi and early Picasso. It connects Modigliani with contemporary practice in the bohemian quarter of Montparnasse as well as with wider visual culture in early twentieth century Paris. The artist's famous nudes and iconic, elongated figures are well represented here but in dialogue with lesser-known works from across his career, conveying the sheer breadth and depth of his formal and stylistic experimentation. Four new texts will present new research and explore various angles from which his work and artistic persona can be understood, covering themes such as biography, practice and conservation. All works from the exhibition will be stunningly reproduced in full colour, making this publication one of the most comprehensive surveys of Modigliani's work ever published. The book offers an insight into the artist's life and work from different perspectives and is a vital addition to the library of fans and newcomers alike.