Becoming Amedeo Modigliani

Amedeo Clemente Modigliani, the famous Italian painter and sculptor was born in 1884 into a  Sephardic Jewish family in Livorno, Italy. He was frequently ill and looked after by his mother, who encouraged his interest in art. He started painting even before beginning of his formal education. He was home schooled by his mother due to ill health. Explore the artistic journey of the artist and if you like the artworks by Amedeo Clemente Modigliani you can also think about reading up on the biography of Amedeo Clemente Modigliani.

At the age of 14, he got sick with typhoid and expressed desire to see famous paintings of the Renaissance Masters. After recovery, his mother took him to Florence and got him admitted to the school of Guglielmo Micheli, the best painting master of Livorno. Micheli introduced him to the study of style and theme of the 19th-century Italian art. He studied landscape as well as portraiture and nood studies.He worked at the studio from 1898-1900 and was compelled to leave due to an attack of tuberculosis.

In 1901, he visited Rome and was influenced by the work of Domenico Morelli, the founder of a trend ‘Macchiaioli’, a colourful landscape movement. His first teacher Micheli already introduced him to the style. However, Amedeo Modigliani preferred the style of Cezanne for his three landscapes than ‘Macchiaioli’ style. He was also influenced by the philosophy of Nietzsche.

In 1902, he joined the "Free School of Nude Studies", of the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence to study life drawing, which became his life-long fascination. The next year he joined the Regia Accademia ed Istituto di Belle Arti in Venice. During this time he became addicted to drugs.

In 1909 he moved to Paris and rented a studio at Montparnasse. He came into contact with such artists as Pablo Picasso and Constantin Brâncuși. He became interested in sculpture and worked under Brancusi for one year. In 1912 his stylized sculptures were exhibited at the Salon d'Automne in the Cubist section. Later, he focussed solely on painting. His portraits and sculptures had a characteristic of elongated face, which was far modern than his time. While alive, he did not get deserved attention. After his death at age 35, due to tubercular meningitis, his work were increasingly appreciated in the international arena. Check out all the artworks of Amedeo Clemente Modigliani available online. If the works entice you enough read the biography of Amedeo Clemente Modigliani.