Portrait of a Woman 1910

Amedeo Modigliani painted this "Portrait of a Woman" using oil paint, a traditional medium that nonetheless allowed him to push boundaries. Modigliani's quick, deliberate strokes on canvas create a textured surface, with the materiality of the paint itself adding depth to the composition. The visible brushwork emphasizes the artist's hand, reminding us of the labor and skill involved. Notice how Modigliani uses the inherent qualities of oil paint—its viscosity and luminosity—to define the sitter’s features with minimal shading. This direct approach demystifies the painting process; it is an artwork born out of the application of material. Modigliani was active during a time of huge social change, with new modes of production impacting every aspect of life. His reductive style, paired with his choice of materials and clear artistic labor, brought art closer to everyday experience, challenging traditional distinctions between the fine arts and the handmade.