Young woman 1918

Amedeo Modigliani created this portrait, Young Woman, using oil paint, a traditional medium favored by artists for centuries. The smooth surface belies the effort required to prepare and apply the paint, with raw pigment ground with oil and spread across the canvas using brushes. Modigliani's application of paint is economical, yet deliberate. He thins the paint to build up thin layers of color, called glazes, to add depth and luminosity to the figure’s skin. In contrast, he applies thicker paint in some areas of the background and the model's hair, adding texture and visual interest. Although he engages with the European painting tradition, Modigliani's work also stands apart. He was interested in modernist primitivism, using simplified forms and elongated features, a style inspired by African and other non-Western art forms. The painting demonstrates Modigliani’s ability to work with traditional materials in a way that is both respectful and innovative. By considering the painting's materials and techniques, we can appreciate its place within a broader history of art and making.