The artwork, “Woman with Velvet Ribbon (The Black Border),” was created by Amedeo Modigliani in 1915 while in Paris, France. This expressionist portrait is executed in oil on canvas, measuring 54 by 45.5 centimeters, and is housed in a private collection.
The artwork depicts a serene, stylized portrayal of a woman with an elongated face and a slender neck, adorned with a black velvet ribbon. The use of muted, earthy colors and sharp, angular lines emphasizes the melancholic and ethereal mood characteristic of Modigliani’s portraits. The woman’s almond-shaped eyes, devoid of detail, contribute to an enigmatic and distant expression. The textured background and simplified forms further accentuate the subject’s solemn presence, showcasing Modigliani’s unique approach to figure painting within the expressionist movement.