Modigliani's portraits come to Korea
Amedeo Modigliani, “Jeanne Hebuterne, Seated” / Courtesy of Modigliani Exhibition Team and Israel MuseumBy Kwon Mee-yooSubjects whose portraits were painted by Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920) are characterized by their long necks and almond-shaped eyes. However, the eyes are also blank holes without pupils, a result of Modigliani’s exploration of human nature. "When I know your soul, I will paint your eyes," the artist once said.Titled "Amedeo Modigliani: Legend of Montparnasse," the exhibition at Hangaram Art Museum in Seoul Arts Center features some 70 works of the early-20th century Italian-Jewish painter, which is a significant portion of the artist's oeuvre of just fewer than 400 oil paintings.Seo Soun-jou, commissioner of the exhibit, said the work comes from about 45 lenders, including some 20 private collections.Modigliani, born in Italy, moved to Paris, then center of the avant-garde art, in 1906, and pursued his career there. Seo referred to Modigliani as a Bohemian painter and the legend of Montparnasse among the artists of the Ecole de Paris. Montparnasse
Jun 14, 2015