Portrait of Jean Cocteau 1916

This is Modigliani’s drawing of Jean Cocteau, made with pencil on paper, and it's like a whisper of a portrait. Look at the way Modigliani coaxes Cocteau's image onto the page with these delicate lines. It’s all about the process, isn't it? The making of the thing, not just the thing itself. You can almost feel the artist’s hand moving, searching, and finding these essential forms. The lines are thin, almost hesitant, but they build up this incredible presence. See how the texture of the paper shows through, giving the drawing an airy, ethereal quality? It’s not about filling in every detail, but about suggesting the essence of a person, a moment. The way Modigliani uses line to define the shape of Cocteau’s face, that long nose, feels almost like he’s sculpting with the pencil. It reminds me of some of Picasso’s line drawings, that same economy and confidence. Both artists remind us that art is about conversation, an ongoing exchange of ideas. It's about embracing the journey, not just the destination.