Bust of Manuel Humbert 1916

Modigliani painted this bust of Manuel Humbert with oils on canvas; the color palette is earthy and warm. Look closely, and you'll see how the paint is applied in layers, creating a textured surface. I love how the elongated features give Manuel an almost ethereal quality, don't you think? Modigliani's brushstrokes are visible and direct, it's clear that he wasn't trying to hide his process. The eyes, almond-shaped and seemingly without pupils, gaze into the distance, inviting us to ponder Humbert's inner thoughts. The background is a wash of brown and burgundy, but notice how Modigliani left the name of the subject 'Manuel' visible. It is as though he wanted to highlight both the subject and the act of painting. Modigliani was part of the early Modernist crowd in Paris, like Picasso and Brancusi. Maybe Modigliani and Picasso argued about painting the same way I argue with my friends. I like the painting, it's simple and direct, but layered, a bit like life itself.