Portrait of a Woman c. 1917 - 1919

This ‘Portrait of a Woman’ by Modigliani feels like it came together slowly, stroke by stroke, in oil on canvas. You can see how he's building up the figure out of planes of color, kind of like Cézanne, but with a totally different vibe. I'm struck by the warm palette of earthy reds and muted greens, which creates an intimate, melancholic mood. Look at the way he defines the shape of the face with soft edges. What was he thinking as he painted those almond-shaped eyes? There's a vulnerability there, maybe even a little sadness. It's like Modigliani is in conversation with the Old Masters while inventing his own language. Every artist has their own distinct way of painting the human form, each new mark building on what came before. He’s looking back, but also pushing forward, inviting us to experience the world through his eyes.