Portrait of Amadeo Modigliani (possibly by Jeanne Hébuterne) 1919

This portrait of Amadeo Modigliani, possibly by Jeanne Hébuterne, has a subdued palette, with earthy tones and muted colors that give it a melancholic feel. I love how the artist’s touch is so visible, you can almost feel the texture of the canvas. The paint is applied in layers, creating depth and dimension, like the way the shadow of the hat falls across his face. The brushstrokes are loose and expressive, like a quiet conversation between the artist and the canvas. Look at the way the light catches the side of his face, it’s as though she’s caressing him. The way the paint is built up around the collar, creating a kind of sculptural form, is similar to the way that Picasso would work. Art is just an ongoing conversation of ideas, each artist drawing from and responding to those who came before, creating something new and deeply personal.