CURATED EXHIBITION - MODIGLIANI AND THE MODERN PORTRAIT
22 July - 5 November 2023
NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART
ROSLYN HARBOR, NEW YORK
CURATED BY DR KENNETH WAYNE
The show combines the brilliant colors and powerful linear style of Modigliani with works by contemporaries from the School of Paris, including Picasso, Man Ray, Matisse, Munch, Klimt, Lachaise, Laurencin, Foujita, Kisling, van Dongen, Soutine to name a few, bringing to life the bohemian heyday of Montparnasse in Modigliani’s day. One of the fascinating insights offered by the exhibition is a new perspective on Modigliani’s Jewish identity and his connections to such artists as Kisling, Soutine, Pascin, Lipchitz and Chagall.
Another significant aspect of the exhibition, an original interpretation of Modigliani’s place in history, is the way that it extends the idea of portraiture as Modigliani changed it to include Contemporary artists such as David Hockney, Eric Fischl, Amy Tiffany Hemingway, Inès Longevial, Marybeth Rothman and others. The legacy of Modigliani’s psychological depth resonates in the studios of our own time.
Wherever and whenever Amedeo Modigliani’s paintings go on view, crowds gather, experts turn out to debate, social media lights up and auction records fall.
This Modern master personally changed the history of the portrait, adding the emotional and painterly power that has inspired generations since his untimely demise, the archetypal story of the doomed Bohemian genius. Curated by Dr. Kenneth Wayne, the world’s leading Modigliani scholar (founder of The Modigliani Project that researches the authenticity of works), this show will feature several spectacular paintings by the master, including the world premiere of two newly confirmed Modigliani paintings unveiled on this occasion.
Because these are some of the most renowned and treasured works of the twentieth century, the excitement surrounding this show also involves some of extremely distinguished lenders and provenances, including the family of Greta Garbo who was an early champion of Modigliani. A select group of world-renowned collectors have generously loaned their works to the most important exhibition mounted by this museum in recent years, building on the tradition of its record-shattering Chagall retrospective a decade ago as well as important surveys of Picasso and the School of Paris.
Dr Kenneth Wayne PhD, the curator of the show, has written some of the most important books and curated many of the most important exhibitions devoted to this figure, the epitome of the avant-garde genius.
EXHIBITION CATALOGUE
The catalouge is available from the museum store, or to order please contact: museumstore@nassaumuseum.org
516-484-9338, ext. 45
NEWSDAY ARTICLE - Read more
The catalogue contains original essays with new discussions of Modigliani and his art, as well as information on contemporary artists and how they were inspired by Modigliani.
