The Pretty Vegetable Vendor 1918

Amedeo Modigliani's "The Pretty Vegetable Vendor" is a painting of about 100 x 65 cm, its date is unknown. It lives in a private collection. You see those hands? Clasped so neatly, they feel both relaxed and incredibly formal. The surface is fascinating; it looks dry, almost like fresco, with thin layers of muted colors built up. It is easy to imagine Modigliani at work, layering colors and forms. The brushstrokes are visible. They contribute to the overall sense of texture and depth. The face is wonderfully blank, but look at the way he models the neck, those subtle gradations of tone, it's as though he is sculpting with light. I am reminded of Cezanne, someone else who sought to reduce everything to its simplest and most essential forms. But while Cezanne was interested in capturing the underlying structure of the world, Modigliani seems more interested in capturing the essence of a person, their inner life. Ultimately, it's a painting that leaves you with more questions than answers. Isn’t that the beauty of art?