Frontales langes Gesicht und Kopf im Profil (1914-15)

In this intriguing work, Amedeo Modigliani captures the essence of his unique artistic vision through the medium of pencil drawing. The piece, titled "Frontales langes Gesicht und Kopf im Profil" (Frontal Long Face and Head in Profile), showcases Modigliani's distinctive approach to portraiture, which is marked by elongated forms and simplified features.The drawing presents two views of the same face: one is a frontal depiction, and the other is a profile view. The frontal face dominates the composition with its serene, mask-like appearance; the features, including the almond-shaped eyes, elongated nose, and subtle lips, are rendered with a graceful economy of line. Adjacent to it, the profile view emphasizes the elongation of the human head and neck, a signature element in many of Modigliani’s works.This blend of two perspectives in a single drawing not only highlights the artist’s fascination with African masks and Cambodian sculptures, which influenced much of his artistic output, but also exemplifies his exploration of identity and the human condition. The soft graphite lines convey a gentleness that contrasts with the boldness of the forms, creating a delicate tension that invites viewers to ponder the dual nature of seeing and being seen."Frontales langes Gesicht und Kopf im Profil" is a compelling example of Modigliani's work during a pivotal period of his career, when he was deepening his engagement with the human form.