Girl in the shirt (Red-haired girl) 1918

Amedeo Modigliani painted "Girl in the shirt (Red-haired girl)" with oil on canvas, though we can't be sure exactly when. Painted in France, Modigliani was part of the early 20th century avant-garde, a group of artists working outside the established institutions of the art world. Modigliani's portraits often feature elongated faces and simplified forms, drawing inspiration from African and ancient art. Here, the sitter's pose and ambiguous expression evokes a sense of vulnerability but also self-possession. The visible breast would have been considered challenging at the time. In its depiction of a female figure outside traditional norms, the painting challenges the conservative artistic establishment. If we want to truly understand the social and cultural forces that shaped Modigliani's art we might explore archives, private letters, and period publications. By engaging with these historical sources we recognize the social contexts of the image and gain a deeper understanding of its significance.