Jeanne Hebuterne (with a scarf) 1919

Modigliani painted this portrait of Jeanne Hébuterne, probably in the late 1910s, with oils on canvas. The tones are warm and earthy, like a Tuscan sunset, right? You can almost feel him stretching her neck, elongating her features, like he’s pulling taffy. I can imagine Modigliani staring intently, stepping back, then lunging forward, lost in the dance of observation and invention. What was he thinking as he made those luscious brown strokes to suggest the hair? There’s something about the way he renders the scarf – a vibrant red that contrasts with the cool blue of her dress – that feels so alive. It reminds me of Matisse’s bold color choices, but with a melancholy twist. Each brushstroke contributes to the emotional and intellectual resonance of the work, and of course the emotional resonance between the two lovers. Painters, we’re all in conversation, you know? We’re always stealing and sharing ideas across time, inspiring each other’s creativity. Painting is like embodied expression, a space for ambiguity and multiple interpretations.