The artwork “Seated nude” by Amedeo Modigliani was created in 1917 in Paris, France. This oil on canvas painting exemplifies the Expressionist movement and measures 116 x 73 cm. The painting falls under the nude painting (nu) genre and is housed at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon in Lyon, France.
In this painting, Modigliani depicts a nude female figure seated against a dark background. The figure is portrayed with elongated limbs and a stylized form, typical of Modigliani’s work. Her face is rendered with Modigliani’s signature almond-shaped eyes, which are blank, and a swan-like neck that adds to the elegance of the subject. The color palette consists of earthy and flesh tones, with bold outlines emphasizing the curvature and form of the body. The subject gazes directly at the viewer, creating an intimate and confrontational interaction. The simplified forms, flowing lines, and the emotional resonance of the figure are expressive of the human form and reflect the influence of African and primitive art on Modigliani’s style.
