Artwork
Reverie (Study for the Portrait of Frank Burty Haviland)
Reverie (Study for the Portrait of Frank Burty Haviland) is an unspecified painting by Amedeo Modigliani. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Created in 1914, this oil on canvas serves as a preparatory study for a larger portrait of the French writer Frank Burty Haviland.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1914, this oil on canvas serves as a preparatory study for a larger portrait of the French writer Frank Burty Haviland. Executed during Modigliani’s Parisian phase, the work captures a seated gentleman in a reflective pose, rendered with the artist’s characteristic elongation of facial features and a muted, earthy backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is presented with down‑cast eyes and clasped hands, suggesting a moment of quiet introspection. The elongated cheekbones and tapered chin amplify a sense of elegance while the subdued expression invites viewers to contemplate the inner life of the figure, aligning with Modigliani’s interest in portraying psychological depth through simplified forms.
Technique & Style
Modigliani employs a limited palette of warm ochres and browns, allowing the textured brushwork to convey surface richness. The elongated proportions, smooth modeling of the face, and the loose handling of the background exemplify his synthesis of modernist simplification with a lingering influence of classical portraiture.
History & Provenance
Painted while Modigliani was establishing himself among the École de Paris, the study was not publicly exhibited during his lifetime and remained relatively obscure. It later entered the market as interest in Modigliani’s oeuvre grew, eventually becoming part of a collection that highlights his preparatory processes and the evolution of his portraiture.
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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.
