Portrait of Donato Frisia c. 1917

This is Modigliani’s sketch of Donato Frisia. It shows a man captured in a moment of quiet repose with soft pencil lines on a neutral toned paper. Modigliani, an Italian Jewish artist, worked in Paris during a period of intense artistic innovation and social change. As the son of an Italian Jewish family, his cultural background was rich and complex. Jewish identity often intersected with other aspects of identity such as nationality, class, and artistic affiliation. The work might be interpreted through the lens of Jewish artistic identity, where artists navigated the intersection of their heritage, cultural assimilation, and artistic expression. Modigliani's work encapsulates his search for belonging and artistic identity within the bohemian circles of Paris. He often sought to capture the essence of his subjects, delving into their inner selves. His art became a reflection of his personal journey and the search for meaning. Modigliani once said: "To do any work I have to have a human being before me." The sketch becomes a tender exploration of identity and connection, reflecting both the artist's and sitter's internal worlds.