Portrait of Frans Hellens 

Amedeo Modigliani painted this portrait of Frans Hellens with oil on canvas, capturing more than just a likeness. Note the almond-shaped eyes, a recurring motif that echoes ancient Egyptian art and resurfaces in Byzantine icons. These eyes, often described as vacant or melancholic, evoke a sense of timelessness and introspection. Consider the subtle asymmetry and the elongated features, hallmarks of Modigliani’s style, that harken back to the masks of primitive cultures. Like the masks used in rituals, Modigliani's portraits possess a psychological weight, an attempt to uncover the inner self through external forms. His portraits transcend mere representation, tapping into the collective unconscious. The motif of the gaze, averted and introspective, has evolved from classical sculptures to modern art. These features may be seen in artworks through the ages, with cyclical returns, evolving in meaning yet still resonant with the collective memory of human emotion.