Artwork
Bust of a Woman
Bust of a Woman is an oil painting by Amedeo Modigliani. It dates from 1919 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1919, this oil painting by Amedeo Modigliani presents a portrait of a woman rendered in the artist’s signature elongated manner. The composition isolates the sitter’s head and shoulders against a muted grey backdrop, emphasizing the simplified, stretched features that define Modigliani’s approach to portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a woman with dark, curly hair and pale skin, her gaze directed downward, suggesting an introspective mood. Her red lips and dark eyes contrast with the subdued background, while the dark garment she wears frames the figure, focusing attention on her serene, contemplative expression.
Technique & Style
Modigliani employs bold, flowing lines and a restrained palette, reducing the form to essential shapes while maintaining a sense of elegance. The elongated proportions and smooth modeling reflect his synthesis of classical sculpture and modernist influences, achieved through thin oil layers rather than heavy impasto.
History & Provenance
The painting belongs to the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires. Modigliani, an Italian expatriate active in Paris, produced this work during the final year of his life, a period marked by prolific portraiture that solidified his distinctive visual language.
Artist & collection
Artist
Amedeo Clemente Modigliani (US: ; Italian: ; 12 July 1884 – 24 January 1920) was an Italian painter and sculptor of the École de Paris who worked mainly in France.
Museum
National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina
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