Seated nude 1918

"Seated Nude" is a 37 x 29 cm oil on canvas, made by Amedeo Modigliani during a period of cultural change, where both artists and society were reassessing traditional artistic values. Modigliani, an Italian Jewish émigré working in Paris, situates his nude subject within a complex history of representation. The legacy of academic nudes is undeniable, yet Modigliani departs from conventional portrayals of women designed for the male gaze. Her posture is relaxed but also guarded, which gives her an introspective quality. The soft palette and elongated form are characteristic of Modigliani’s style, influenced by both African masks and the work of artists like Brancusi. Modigliani’s nudes were created amidst debates about sexuality, morality, and the evolving role of women in society. "What I am seeking is neither the real nor the unreal but rather the unconscious, the mystery of the instinctive in the human race" Modigliani said. In "Seated Nude", Modigliani invites us to consider the complex interplay between the artist’s vision, the model’s presence, and our own expectations as viewers.