Portrait of Vallin

"Portrait of Vallin," created by Amedeo Modigliani Italian, 1884-1920, in 1918, is a significant example of the artist's late graphic output. Classified as a drawing, the work utilizes graphite on cream wove paper, showcasing the economy and precision of line typical of Modigliani during the final years of his life. This period, marked by the conclusion of World War I, saw Modigliani refine his signature approach to portraiture, moving away from explicit Cubist fragmentation towards a more linear, stylized classicism rooted in his heritage from Italy.

Modigliani often turned to drawing as a preparatory medium or as a finished piece in its own right, and here the careful application of graphite allows for precise contours and subtle volume shading. The sitter, Vallin, is rendered with the characteristic features of the artist's subjects: the pronounced elongation of the neck and facial structure, the smooth oval head, and the simplified, almond-shaped eyes that often appear vacant or closed. These elements reflect Modigliani’s interest in Renaissance portraiture and the profound influence of Oceanic and African sculpture, both of which informed his unique modernist sensibilities.

Executed just two years before the artist’s untimely death, this portrait captures the distilled maturity of Modigliani's tragically short career. As part of the esteemed permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, this work is available for scholarly study. The enduring appeal of this unique style means that high-quality prints and reproductions of Modigliani's drawings, including Portrait of Vallin, are widely available, contributing to the growing body of works from this period that have entered the public domain.