Seated nude

Modigliani wrote in the period from 1917 to 1919 a series of paintings in the nude genre. This painting, written in 1916 , is a vivid example of Modigliani's interest in the subject of a naked female body. In the style of the canvas, on the one hand, you can find features typical of his later paintings, but also characteristic differences. The woman is depicted in a very soft manner, her skin is light and gives the impression of youth and beauty, and her hair is drawn unusually carefully for Modigliani, the deep furrows left on the canvas by the artist’s brush cuttings serve to depict strands. The woman’s lively face is significantly different from the late Modigliani paintings, where women are depicted with empty eyes. Her eyes are closed, and her chin rests on her shoulder. Only with difficulty can one assume that in such an uncomfortable position one can fall asleep. The position creates a strong internal tension, with a large sexual charge, the woman rests with both hands on an uncomfortable bed, a position in which her hips are automatically protruded forward. Her body is depicted only to the hips, and all attention is riveted to the chest and the triangle of the bosom - one of the tricks that Modigliani often used in his work. Very soft and sensual canvas without the inherent later work of the artist of sexual provocation .

Although the woman’s face is stylized, you can find Beatrice Hastings features in it. Her elongated face resembles an African mask, which so bewitched the artist.

• A. Butler: Het kunstboek . Waanders Uitgevers, Zwolle, 2004. ISBN 90-400-8981-7
• Doris Krystof: Amedeo Modigliani, 1884-1920 . Taschen, Keulen, 2011. ISBN 3836512882

• "Sitting Nude" on the website of the Curto Institute of Art (English)
• Analysis of Modigliani's “Secrets”
• Modigliani Models