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Amedeo Modigliani: On the brink of success

Amedeo Modigliani: On the brink of success

Lecture (in English) – 4 September 11.30 – 12.30 at The Portrait Painting Gallery, 55051 Barga (LU).

According to the legends, Amedeo Modigliani was the most quintessential bohemian of the early 1900’s in the Parisian art scene. Mostly drunk, addicted to drugs and died from his overindulgences just at the age of 35. Almost no artwork sold for a serious price, he died penniless. To make it worse, two days later his 8 months pregnant girlfriend Jeanne Hébuterne jumps out of the window and killed herself and the unborn baby.

In 2018 his 1917 painting ‘Nu couché ‘(sur le côté gauche) sold at Sotheby’s in New York for $157.2 million. This was the highest auction price in Sotheby’s history.

It is not a surprise that Modigliani’s reputation has soared. Nine novels, a play, a documentary, and three feature films have been devoted to his life. A legend was born.

As evidence-based sources are scarce, it is difficult to paint a picture of the real Amedeo Modigliani. Was he really a drunk and did he died prematurely as a result of a life fuelled by drugs and absinthe? Was his artwork rejected even when it was given away in exchange for a drink or food?

Peeling of the layers of myths and legends we are getting a glimpse of a remarkable artist, who was just on the brink of success.

In his lecture, André Romijn will take you on a journey, which might put your view on this Livorno born artist in a different perspective.

 


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