Chaim Soutine 1917

Modigliani painted this portrait of Chaim Soutine with oil on canvas, but the date of the painting is unknown. I’m drawn to the muted palette, it seems as though the painting has been aged, like an antique, or memory. The rough texture of the canvas is clearly visible beneath thin layers of paint, particularly in the background. Notice how Modigliani applied the paint with loose, visible brushstrokes, allowing the gray-blue of the background to swirl and mix, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. The thick, dark strokes of Soutine's suit contrast with the light colors of his face and hands. The artist's touch is ever present. What strikes me most is the odd angle of the hands, the awkward positioning almost like a prayer, and the contrast between these and the glass of alcohol, positioned in the top right. To me, it hints at a narrative of struggle, or finding divinity within a world of everyday vice. Like Picasso, Modigliani was fascinated by the human condition.