Artwork
Young Woman of the People
Young Woman of the People is an oil painting by Amedeo Modigliani. It dates from 1918 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1918, *Young Woman of the People* is an oil on canvas portrait by the Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. The work belongs to the period when Modigliani was active in Paris, participating in the city’s modernist milieu. It is presently part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas depicts a seated young woman with dark hair, dressed in a black, high‑necked dress and long sleeves. She gazes directly at the viewer, her arms resting on her lap with fists clenched, conveying a quiet, introspective mood. The sparse interior setting—a simple room with a bed and a framed picture—frames her contemplative presence.
Technique & Style
Modigliani renders the figure with his characteristic elongation of facial features and a flattened, simplified treatment of the face, lending an almost timeless quality to the portrait. The brushwork is restrained, emphasizing the serene atmosphere through muted tones and a limited palette, while the composition remains balanced and intimate.
History & Provenance
The painting emerged during Modigliani’s Paris years, a time when he interacted with contemporaries such as Pablo Picasso and other members of the École de Paris. After changing hands through private collections, it entered the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s modern art holdings.
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.
