Modigliani, Exhibition, Tate Modern, London: 23 November 2017 – 2 April 2018

Modigliani’s nudes were initially banned in 1917 by the Paris authorities, so make sure that you see his  12 nudes, the largest number to ever be displayed at one time.  While the risqué subject matter of his nudes ensured Modigliani developed a reputation for immoral promiscuity, he still  struggled for recognition during his short life.  Battling with poverty, depression and illness, Modigliani died of meningitis at just 35, sadly before the public began to show their appreciation. Nowadays, his bold nudes and distinctive portraits and sculptures reach huge sums at auction. Nu Couché for example  was sold for $170.4 million in November 2015, the second-highest  price ever for a piece of art.

Included in the exhibition are several portraits of his eccentric friend and lover, Beatrice Hastings, who he apparently threw out of a window during one of their more passionate fights.

You can see Modigliani’s distinctive elongation of faces and necks, in works  such as his sculpture, Woman’s Head with Chignon or his 1917 Portrait of a Girl. Spending what little money he earned from his art on drugs and alcohol, legend has it that Modigliani would ‘borrow’ limestone set aside in the streets for building  to complete his sculptures.

Thanks to the headsets provided by HTC Vive  you can immerse yourself in a three D version of Modigliani’s 20th century Paris.  

This is a   fascinating retrospective on the life of one of the great early-20th century artists from the Ecole de Paris, with the chance to  step inside the life of the time and immerse yourself in the  troubled and sensuous world of a true Bohemian.

Tate Modern

Bankside

London SE1 9TG

Opening Times

Sunday-Thursday, 10.00-18.00

Friday-Saturday, 10.00-22.00