The artwork “Portrait of Max Jacob” is a distinguished painting by the renowned artist Amedeo Modigliani, created in the year 1916. This oil on canvas masterpiece measures 73 x 60 cm and is a quintessential representation of the Expressionist movement. The portrait genre piece was crafted in Paris, France, and currently resides at the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The artwork captures the figure of Max Jacob with expressive stylization, featuring elongated facial characteristics and a subdued, though impactful, use of color. Modigliani’s trademark technique of portraying sitters with elongated necks and almond-shaped eyes is evident, which contributes to the emotive quality of the piece. The subject’s face is rendered with a palette of warm tones, contrasted against the cooler, darker hues of the background and clothing.
The composition suggests a certain intimacy and psychological depth, as is common in Modigliani’s portraits, aiming to convey more than just the physical likeness of the poet. Jacob’s gaze is diverted slightly, inviting contemplation on his inward state and character. The rendering of the background is abstract and lacks detail, which focuses the viewer’s attention on the subject’s face and expression, further highlighting the central motif of the individual’s internal world.
As with many of Modigliani’s works, there is a balance struck between realism and abstraction, enabling the artwork to transcend a mere likeness and instead evoke the essence of Max Jacob’s personality.
