"Jeanne Hébuterne w/Yellow Sweater." (1919)
by Amedeo Modigliani.
"Resting Woman." (1979) by Christina Venanzi Tarkoff
By no stretch of the imagination am I comparing my work to Amedeo Modigliani. However, the current Modigliani show at the Barnes prompted one of my most indelible memories from my art school years.
So if you will indulge me, I'm gonna tell you my Modigliani & Me story…
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In the late 1970s when I was an art student at Temple University, we were fortunate to have live (nude) models for our Oil Painting classes.
Generally, the students would arrive at class, choose an easel and a spot from which to paint. Set up our paints and begin to paint the model. We did not have much time, I believe the classes were 90 minutes.
We painted quickly, (alla prima) and made quick decisions about the composition of our paintings.
For the painting you see here, I chose just to paint the model’s face. I believe because she looked so restful in her pose and the way her hair was cascading around her shoulders.
While I was painting, our awesome artist/teacher, Professor Neal Kosh, stopped at my easel and said, “Ahhh, Modigliani!”
I nodded, smiled and, did not really respond.
My years in art school were the late 70s and early 80s. There was no internet, we had a few art history classes, but not that many. I honestly had no idea to whom or what my teacher was referring when he said my painting reminded him of Modigliani.
However, after class, I diligently looked through my art books and VOILA! I found the magnificent work of Amedeo Modigliani. Since that day, I am a huge fan of Modigliani’s inspiring life and work.
I still have the “Resting Woman” painting hanging in my studio. The painting inspires me to this day.
#1. The painting is on gessoed wood panel. That day, our teacher supplied us with a panel for each of us to paint upon. Generally, we used our own supplies, but for this class he gave each of his students this wonderful substrate that he cut, gessoed, and prepared for each of us to paint upon.
#2. Professor Kosh, was my favorite painting teacher, he inspired me to apply for the Temple Rome program, which to this day, remains one of the most impactful experiences of my life/career.
#3. I had no knowledge of Modigliani at that time. So, of course, this painting always reminds me of my teacher and how he unknowingly introduced me to the work of this great artist.
My dad devised the screws and string hanging device on the back of the wood panel for me!
So now I have shared my story about how I was introduced to the life and work of Amedeo Modigliani!