Bride and Groom (The Couple) 1915

Amedeo Modigliani painted Bride and Groom, also known as The Couple, using oil on canvas. The nature of oil paint is crucial here: its slow drying time allowed Modigliani to rework areas, softening contours and blending colors, visible in the subtle gradations of skin tones and the diffused edges of forms. He would have built the image through layers, letting each dry to different degrees, creating an overall sense of soft focus. We can see this labor-intensive process through the buildup of paint. The looseness of the brushwork, particularly in the background, shows an interest in both material presence and the quickness of modern life. Modigliani was engaging with the traditional craft of painting, which has a long history. However, rather than depict a grand historical scene or mythological subject, he chose the intimate and accessible subject of a newly married couple. This democratization of subject matter, combined with a modern approach to materials, challenges the historical hierarchy between craft and fine art.