Amedeo Modigliani Giclée Fine Art Prints 5 of 7

Amedeo Modigliani was an esteemed Italian painter and sculptor renowned for his distinct style of painting and sculpting, especially his elongated portraits and nude paintings. These are recognized for their exquisite aesthetic that have had significant influence within modern art circles.

Modigliani was born July 12th 1884 into a Sephardic Jewish family living in Livorno, Italy. He was the fourth child born to Flaminio Modigliani and Eugenie Garsin; its arrival coincided with great financial distress due to Flaminio's failed business enterprises; nevertheless, their family became well known for its intellectual and artistic interests despite these difficulties.

Modigliani was diagnosed with tuberculosis when he was just 11 years old. Within two years he suffered pleurisy and two years after that typhoid. At 14 he would also develop chronic asthma which would take its toll for life.

Modigliani displayed early interest in art despite his health problems. Beginning to draw and paint as a child, by age 14 he enrolled at Micheli's Art School in Livorno where his early works were heavily influenced by Italian Renaissance themes taught by Guglielmo Micheli himself.

Modigliani relocated to Paris in 1906, at that time the epicenter of avant-garde art. He lived at Le Bateau-Lavoir - an artists' commune located in Montmartre for those without resources - where he quickly developed his distinctive style, becoming famous for its long, mask-like faces that set him apart from his contemporaries.

Modigliani's personal life was equally turbulent. He earned himself a reputation for excessive drinking and drug use, as well as for engaging in passionate love affairs; among these was with Jeanne Hebuterne - they even shared one daughter together named Jeanne born November 1918!

Modigliani was an incredible talent, yet struggled to gain commercial success during his lifetime. His work was often met with harsh criticism; indeed, Modigliani's only solo exhibition during this lifetime was closed by police due to controversy surrounding nude paintings exhibited therein.

Modigliani's health deteriorated rapidly due to his excessive lifestyle and chronic tuberculosis, ultimately leading to his death in Paris on January 24th 1920 at 35. Tragically, Hebuterne, pregnant with their second child at the time, committed suicide one day later following Modigliani's demise.

Modigliani's work gained recognition following his death and is now considered to be one of the most notable artists of the 20th century. His paintings and sculptures can be found in museums worldwide as well as some of the highest prices ever paid at auction for art works.