Young Girl in Beret 1918

Amedeo Modigliani painted this 54 x 43 cm canvas, Young Girl in Beret, in an unknown year. Immediately, the elongated face draws us into the subject's gaze, a composition framed by the dark beret and simple pink dress. Modigliani's formal approach is evident in the simplification of forms and subtle use of color. Notice the flattened perspective and how the background merges with the figure, reducing depth. The artist's reductive forms and stylistic distortions reflect his engagement with modernism. The girl’s almond-shaped eyes, a signature of Modigliani, seem to destabilize conventional portraiture. Her gaze is both direct and distant, inviting a sense of ambiguity and psychological depth. The artist uses the formal qualities of line and color to evoke a sense of melancholy. It's a poignant exploration of form and feeling that invites contemplation.