Artwork

The Little Peasant

The Little Peasant, by Amedeo Modigliani, oil, 1918
The Little Peasant, by Amedeo Modigliani, oil, 1918

The Little Peasant is an oil painting by Amedeo Modigliani. It dates from 1918 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery.

About this work

The Little Peasant is a painting by Amedeo Modigliani.
It was created in 1918 using oil paint.
The painting is held at a museum, but I'm not sure about the details of the image itself.
It has a faint color variation and harmony, which is an interesting aspect of the work.
This subtle use of color might be what makes it notable.
Check out the work of artist Amedeo Modigliani.

Overview

Created in 1918, this oil painting by Amedeo Modigliani portrays a young peasant figure. The work is part of the collection at Tate Modern in London, where it is displayed among the museum’s early‑20th‑century European holdings.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas presents a solitary youth, rendered with Modiglianian elongation of the head and a calm, introspective gaze. The title suggests a modest, rural identity, inviting contemplation of the sitter’s social standing and personal demeanor.

Technique & Style

Modigliani employs a restrained palette, allowing subtle shifts of hue to create a gentle chromatic harmony across the surface. The delicate color modulation and soft transitions underscore the figure’s serenity while maintaining the artist’s characteristic linear elegance.

History & Provenance

The painting was executed in Nice, within a studio space that also served as the setting for Modigliani’s portrait of Jeanne Hébuterne. After changing hands in the interwar period, it entered the Tate Modern’s collection, where it remains accessible to the public.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Amedeo Modigliani

Artist

Amedeo Modigliani

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.

National Gallery

Museum

National Gallery

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.