Adrienne (Woman with Bangs)

Adrienne (Woman with Bangs) by Amedeo Modigliani is a defining portrait created in 1917, executed in oil on linen. Though Modigliani was based in Paris during this prolific phase of his career, his work often reflected an Italian sensibility rooted in Renaissance clarity and linear tradition. This painting, created just three years before his death, exemplifies the refined, elongated style characteristic of the artistic ferment of the period 1901 to 1925, where the artist honed his distinctive approach to psychological portraiture.

In this piece, Modigliani presents the sitter, identified as Adrienne, as a highly stylized figure. Her face is an attenuated oval, resting upon an exceptionally long, smoothly rendered neck—a recurring formal characteristic in the artist's output. The palette is deliberately muted, focusing the viewer’s attention on the subject’s composed expression and the characteristic fringe of bangs that gives the painting its descriptive title. The background is simple and uniformly rendered, a technique Modigliani frequently employed to strip away unnecessary environmental detail, forcing an intense focus on the sitter's inner state and sculptural form. The contrast between the smooth surfaces of the figure and the visible brushwork in the garments underscores Modigliani’s confident handling of the oil medium.

The unique aesthetic demonstrated in this canvas illustrates Modigliani’s synthesis of diverse influences, including the formal structures of African sculpture and the idealized linearism of early Renaissance masters. This combination firmly establishes him as a crucial transitional figure bridging traditional representation and modern abstraction. As a significant example of his late style, the work resides in the prestigious collection of the National Gallery of Art. Owing to its age and cultural importance, high-quality prints of this iconic Italian modernist portrait are often widely distributed and available through various public domain initiatives, ensuring its lasting accessibility.