Jeanne Modigliani - the muse of the great artist

Amadeo Modelyani is one of the most expensive artists in the world. The history of his life is an example of recognized only after the death of a genius. His creative search he began in France, where at that time the bohemia of high art was the most progressive. Along with him, such stars as Picasso, Brancusi, Soutine, Kisling, Gris and Lipschitz were born. But his paintings did not bring fame and income. The artist for a long time could not find his style, while on his way she did not meet - Jeanne. Modigliani until the end of his days drew inspiration from these relationships. Portraits with her image are now world-famous and estimated at tens of millions of dollars. But this couple has had a lot of grief before taking the place of honor in the history of painting. Let's dip into the story of Modigliani's selfless love.

Love story: Amadeo Modigliani and Jeanne Ebutern

Modigliani arrived in Paris from Italy at the age of twenty-two. He was known as a gallant handsome man, so many models were visited in his bed. For a long time, Amadeo burned life, wasting it on casual women and drug addiction. But he had only two serious romance novels. Both left a strong imprint on his becoming as an artist. He really wanted to get married only with a young Jeanne Ebutern.

When for 50 centimes Modigliani once again pored over his canvas in an open studio at the Academy of Calarossi, he drew attention to a miniature brown-haired woman with thick braids. The beginning artist sketched on the easel and each time erased her work, dissatisfied with the result. At that moment, Amadeo began to paint her portrait. So in his life appeared 19-year-old Jeanne. At that time Modigliani was already 33.

Amadeo introduced his lover to all his friends. They unanimously pointed out in their memories that this was the only woman who became his eternal love. Jeanne immediately moved to Amadeo. Her parents were against such a union, because they were Catholics, and the artist was considered unreliable, besides, he had Jewish roots. Contrary to everything, this couple took place in an unofficial marriage. They lived so poorly that sometimes they had nothing to eat. The paintings enjoyed a rare demand. Then Modigliani could go to a friend and sell his coat. His ailments intensified, cough prevented from sleeping at night.

Creativity of the Frenchwoman

Jeanne Modigliani is not as known to the general public as an artist. More often it is spoken of as a museum of Amadeo. For a long time the descendants of artists did not give consent to the exhibition of her works. It was first held only in 2000 in Venice.

Art critics highly appreciate her work among other expressionists. The main concept of the paintings reflected the spirit of the era, but in detail Jeanne stood out for its own style. She paid special attention to small things and choosing a color palette. But the period of living together with Modigliani left a special imprint - their canvases seem to be written in a single brush. One soul for two is placed in these canvases forever.

Another Modigliani: a portrait of Jeanne Ebutern

After meeting with Jeanne, Amadeo wrote more than 20 of her portraits. He did not work in the most fashionable at the time genres - landscapes and still lifes. In the work of Modigliani the portrait of Jeanne Ebutern occupies a special place. He did not want to know anything around, except the human soul. He found his picturesque manner thanks to the young museum and never retreated from the personal canon.

His work has the characteristic features: the face from the portrait resembles a dense mask, almond-shaped eyes, a scapula nose and a small mouth with pursed lips unite them together, make them look like an inexperienced look. But with a thoughtful consideration, we see the individuality of the model, which is expressed in the inclination of the head, the position of the hands or the bright choice of colors that is not characteristic of his contemporaries.

All life is avant-garde

Modigliani led a rackety life, suffered from sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis. He paid with his drawings in taverns and with landlords. His work as a sculptor, he did in the rush of despair drowned in the Seine. By the way, they are still being sought, because now their value is indisputable. And then the acquaintances only laughed at the tipsy Modigliani, who decided to show them his work.

The creative manner of Amadeo made him too unlike others to become famous in his time. His first exhibition failed miserably due to the fact that the police drew attention to the indecent image of a nude model on the canvas. Perhaps, his real place in life he found only next to Jeanne, who humbly followed her deity in the most difficult days.

Tragic final

In 1918, the parents of Jeanne slightly thawed and in a fold with the close friend of the artist, Zbrowski, organized a couple of trips to Nice. There they had a daughter, who was named just like her mother, Giovanna (Jeanne) Modigliani. His work of this period was entirely devoted to the chosen one. And on his return to Paris, Amadeo learned that he would become a father for the second time. Then he undertook to formalize relations, to marry Jeanne. His plans were prevented by a deadly disease - tuberculous meningitis.

In January 1920, Modigliani was gone. Jeanne silently grieved, than caused fears of the family. Her parents took her home by force, as she was on the 9th month of pregnancy. Having lost her love and the father of her unborn child, Jeanne committed suicide. She jumped out of the window of the 5th floor. This was accused by Amadeo. Only after 10 years the family agreed to its reburial next to the beloved husband. World glory found them only after death. Years later, the adult daughter of artists, Jeanne Modigliani, learned the whole story of her parents' life. She wrote the book "Modigliani: Man and Myth", where the full biography of the genius of painting is collected.