Diego Rivera

The remarkable drawing, Diego Rivera, was created by Amedeo Modigliani Italian, 1884-1920 in 1915. This specific work is executed in pen and brown and black ink, delicately applied over an initial graphite sketch on tan wove paper, which was subsequently laid down on a buff wove card. The subject of the drawing is the renowned Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera, who, like Modigliani, was active in the international avant-garde circles of Paris during the mid-1910s.

Modigliani, an artist culturally rooted in Italy, utilized his characteristic style, featuring elongated, simplified forms and mask-like features, even in preliminary portrait studies such as this. Executed during a pivotal year, 1915, this piece captures the sitter with an immediacy, focusing heavily on decisive linear quality rather than on complex shading or detailed backgrounds. Rivera and Modigliani were close colleagues in the thriving artistic community of Montparnasse, making this portrait an intimate record of their shared artistic camaraderie. The spare, yet powerful, linearity common in Modigliani’s drawings from this era is fully evident here, demonstrating the mature development of his aesthetic.

This compelling study of a fellow artist exemplifies the vibrant period of cross-cultural artistic exchange that defined Paris before the conclusion of World War I. The lasting importance of Modigliani’s work, particularly his drawings, ensures high-quality prints and references are widely available, often through public domain archives. This exceptional drawing, originating from the culture of Italy, remains a central part of the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.