Alice 1916 - 1919

Modigliani made this portrait of Alice with oil on canvas, and what strikes me is the warmth in her face, emerging from the cool blues and grays all around. It's like he's captured a certain kind of quietude, a moment of introspection. I can imagine Modigliani, brush in hand, carefully building up those layers of color, trying to get the tilt of her head just right, the way her hands gently clasp in her lap. I love how her face is built from simple shapes, the almond eyes and pursed lips. And the cross on her dress – such a subtle detail, but it speaks volumes. There’s something so direct and honest about it, like a child posing for a photo. You know, when I look at this, I think about other artists, like Suzanne Valadon, who were also exploring the human figure in such an intimate way, trying to capture something essential about the person. We’re all just part of this big conversation, riffing off each other, trying to make sense of the world through paint.