Tempera and oil on paper. Featuring a portrait. Signed and attr. Amedeo Modigliani (Italian, 1884-1920) on the lower right corner. Marked with gallery seal with notation in pencil on verso. Accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. Italian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani is celebrated for his iconic portraits, which, with often mask-like faces and striking blue-eyes, have become iconic works of the early 20th century. Inspired by Existentialist philosophy and a rejection of his bourgeois childhood, Modigliani chose not to paint landscapes, like many of his contemporaries, instead using portraiture to explore both his own psychology and that of his subjects, who were typically fellow artists or lovers. Modigliani also painted highly sexualize female nudes that at the time, were daringly erotic. His style is figurative but also highly expressive, and his subjects are shown with quirks and asymmetries, recalling the portraiture of Paul Cezanne, whose work Modigliani greatly admired. Modigliani befriended Pablo Picasso after moving to Paris in 1906, and like Picasso, he drew inspiration from art of so-called "primitive" cultures, his work often resembling African or Pre-Columbian statuary. PROVENANCE: Private estate (Toronto, ON) 28.8 x 20 cm (11.3 x 7.8 inches)

All authorship of items in this catalog are described according to the following terms:

By [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work is by the artist.

Attributed to [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work may be ascribed to the artist on the basis of style, but there may be some question as to actual authorship.

In the manner of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but was designed deliberately to emulate the style of the artist.

After [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but is a deliberate copy of a known work by the artist.

Circle of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil.

Follower of [Artist Name]: In our opinion, a work by a pupil or a follower of the artist (not necessarily a pupil).

American, 19th century : In our opinion, this work was executed by an unknown hand, and can only be identified by origin (i.e., region, period).

Bears signature : In our opinion, the signature on the artwork may be spurious.
Apocryphal : Of doubtful authenticity.