Portrait of Jean Cocteau 1916

Modigliani made this portrait of Jean Cocteau with pencil on paper. Look at those wavering lines, tentatively scratching at the paper's surface. It's a gentle touch, almost as if he's trying to capture Cocteau's essence without disturbing him. I can imagine Modigliani's hand moving, trying to find the balance between capturing a likeness and expressing something deeper. The slight tilt of the head, the way the lines curve and bend – it's as if he's feeling his way through the portrait. It's more about feeling than seeing. The transparency here is like an x-ray, laying bare the artist's process. There's a softness to the touch, a quiet hum of creative energy. It reminds me that artists are constantly in conversation, picking up where others leave off. Modigliani's lines speak to a world of possibilities. A world where ambiguity and uncertainty become invitations for exploration.