Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

Amedeo Modigliani's "Portrait of a Young Woman," painted in 1918, is an evocative piece that encapsulates the artist's distinctive style characterized by elongated figures, simplified forms, and emotive expressions. This particular portrait, known for its serene beauty and poignant expression, features an anonymous young woman rendered with Modigliani's signature elongation of the neck and face, her features delicately yet inscrutably depicted.

- Subject and Composition:
The painting portrays a young woman with her dark hair pulled back, accentuating her elongated neck and delicate facial features. Her almond-shaped eyes, a hallmark of Modigliani’s portraiture, are rendered with a sense of introspection and mystery, contributing to the painting’s enigmatic aura. The woman’s slightly parted lips and soft, subtle expression evoke a sense of calm contemplation.

- Palette and Brushwork:
Modigliani employs a muted palette primarily consisting of earthy tones – ochres, browns, and soft blues – which provide a harmonious background that makes the subject stand out. The brushwork is smooth and fluid, contributing to the overall softness of the portrait. The use of shadow and light is subtle but effective, emphasizing the contours of the face and neck.

- Background:
The background is abstract and understated, ensuring that the focus remains entirely on the figure. It’s a softly blended mix of hues that compliments the figure’s attire and complexion, providing depth without distraction.

- Expression and Mood:
The portrait is imbued with a quiet intensity, as the woman’s gaze does not meet the viewer directly but appears to look slightly to the side, suggesting contemplation or introspection. Her demeanor is composed and elegant, conveying a serene yet profound presence.

- Artist’s Career:
Amedeo Modigliani (1884–1920) was an Italian painter and sculptor known for his modernist works. This painting was created during a critical period in his career, marked by artistic maturity and a refined approach to portraiture. By 1918, Modigliani had developed his iconic style, characterized by elongated forms and expressive faces.

- Artistic Movements:
Modigliani’s work is often associated with Expressionism and Modernism, although his unique style defies strict categorization. His portraits reflect an amalgamation of influences, including African masks, Renaissance art's grace, and the reductive geometric forms of Cubism, yet they remain distinctly his own.

- Cultural and Personal Influence:
This period in Modigliani's life was marked by intense creativity and personal challenges, including health issues and financial difficulties. Despite these struggles, his work retained a profound sensitivity and depth, as seen in "Portrait of a Young Woman."

- Museum:
"Portrait of a Young Woman" is housed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The painting is part of the Chester Dale Collection, bequeathed to the museum in 1963.

- Provenance:
Before finding its permanent home at the National Gallery of Art, the painting passed through various hands, including private collectors and possibly dealers who recognized Modigliani's unique talent despite the artist's relatively modest recognition during his lifetime.

- Signature Elements:
This painting exemplifies Modigliani’s ability to imbue portraits with a sense of timeless grace and emotional depth, features that continue to enchant viewers.

- Art Historical Importance:
"Portrait of a Young Woman" is an important work within Modigliani’s oeuvre, showcasing his evolution from earlier, more tentative explorations of form and structure to his later, more confident and stylized approach.

The enduring appeal of "Portrait of a Young Woman" lies in its ability to convey the universal complexities of human emotion through the lens of Modigliani’s distinct and personal artistic language.