A woman with white collar 1916

Editor: Here we have Amedeo Modigliani's "A woman with white collar," created around 1916. It’s an oil painting and, I'm struck by the elongation of her neck and face. The colours are quite muted except for her face which is such a vibrant rouge. What's your take on this portrait? Curator: This work really captures the aesthetic sensibilities of the early 20th century. Modigliani was working within a Paris that was obsessed with Primitivism, appropriating visual languages from non-Western cultures. Notice how the elongation, particularly of the face and neck, borrows from African masks, wouldn’t you say? Also, think about the context: he was working during World War I. How might that socio-political upheaval influenced the way he portrayed individuals and society? Editor: Yes, I see that now. The influence of African masks is pretty clear, particularly the symmetry of the facial features and the blankness of the eyes. I guess the First World War adds a sense of fragility or maybe even alienation to the piece. Is it about societal tensions that found their way to art? Curator: Exactly! The "garconne" look of this lady reflects a broader transformation of gender roles and women’s participation in the workforce that accelerated during wartime. Artists weren't separate from what they were witnessing! Modigliani is making a comment here. It invites us to look closely at the woman depicted here and explore societal structures that shaped her identity, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely. Understanding the social and political atmosphere gives a whole new level of understanding to it. Thanks for pointing all this out, it makes it so much more vivid! Curator: It was my pleasure! Context truly enriches our understanding of this painting.