The Friendship Between Ossip Zadkine and Amedeo Modigliani at the Zadkine Museum
The Zadkine Museum, located in the heart of Paris, presents a fascinating exhibition that highlights the friendship between two giants of modernism: the sculptor Ossip Zadkine and the painter Amedeo Modigliani. Titled "Modigliani and Zadkine: An Interrupted Friendship", the exhibition will be open until March 30, 2025, and explores the intimate and artistic relationship between these two emblematic artists in the vibrant Parisian scene of the 1910s and 1920s.
LEFT: Ossip Zadkine, "Head of a Woman", 1924, limestone with grey marble inlay, Musée Zadkine, Paris. © Adagp, Paris 2024. Photo by Eric Emo/Musée Zadkine/Paris Musées; RIGHT: Amedeo Modigliani, "La Bourguignonne", 1918, oil on canvas. Private collection
Montparnasse, a neighborhood of artistic innovation
Modigliani and Zadkine met in 1913 in Montparnasse, a district that became a true melting pot of artistic innovation. Both shared a studio and, from the beginning, were united by a common desire to transform the art and sculpture of the time. Zadkine, in his memoirs, recalls those days as "lean times," reflecting the difficulties and camaraderie that defined their relationship.
LEFT: Amedeo Modigliani, "Cariatide", circa 1913-1914, drawing (graphite, ink wash, pastel), Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris; RIGHT: Ossip Zadkine, "Caryatid", 1919, pear wood, Musée Zadkine, Paris. © Adagp, Paris 2024. Photo by Eric Emo/Musée Zadkine/Paris Musées
Narratives from the exhibition
The exhibition features about 90 works, including paintings, sculptures and drawings, as well as documents and photographs from the era, offering a look at how their paths intersected and the reciprocal impacts on their artistic expressions. The narrative is enriched by loans from prestigious institutions such as the Centre Pompidou, the Musée de l'Orangerie, and various museums in Milan, Rouen, and Dijon.
LEFT: Exhibition View: Modigliani and Zadkine: An Interrupted Friendship © Zadkine Museum, photo by Nicolas Borel; RIGHT: Exhibition View: Modigliani and Zadkine: An Interrupted Friendship © Zadkine Museum, photo by Nicolas Borel
But, who exactly are Modigliani and Zadkine?
Ossip Zadkine (1890-1967), a sculptor born in Belarus and based in Paris, was a central figure in the artistic movement of Montparnasse. Known for his unique style that blends cubist elements with organic forms, Zadkine predominantly worked in sculpture, though he was also a talented drawer and engraver. The exhibition highlights how, after Modigliani's premature death in 1920, Zadkine played a crucial role in preserving the memory of his friend, helping to cement Modigliani's legendary status in the art world.
Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920), an influential Italian painter and sculptor, was born in Livorno, Italy, and died in Paris, France. Known for his unique approach to modern portraiture, Modigliani's artworks are characterized by elongated forms and simplified features that convey deep emotional resonance. Despite struggling with poverty and illness throughout his life, his works, including portraits and nudes, have posthumously garnered significant acclaim, marking him as a key figure in the early 20th-century avant-garde in Paris.
LEFT: Amedeo Modigliani, "Portrait of Ossip Zadkine", circa 1918, graphite on vellum paper, Musée Zadkine, Paris; RIGHT: Amedeo Modigliani, "Woman with a Velvet Ribbon", circa 1915. Oil on paper glued to cardboard, 54 x 45.5 cm. Purchased from Mrs. Jean Walter with the assistance of the Society of Friends of the Louvre, 1959. Paris, Musée de l'Orangerie. Photo © GrandPalaisRmn (Musée de l'Orangerie) / Hervé Lewandowski
Cultural and Artistic Impact
"Modigliani and Zadkine: An Interrupted Friendship" provides a window into the complexity of human relationships within the context of modern art and how these relationships shape the work and trajectories of the artists involved. The exhibition celebrates how friendship can inspire and influence artistic expression. For admirers of modern art and those interested in the personal stories behind the artworks, this exhibition at the Zadkine Museum offers a unique and deeply human perspective on art and life in the early 20th century.
 LEFT: Exhibition View: Modigliani and Zadkine: An Interrupted Friendship © Zadkine Museum, photo by Nicolas Borel; RIGHT: Ossip Zadkine, "The Golden Bird", 1924, painted plaster, gilded with gold leaf, Musée Zadkine, Paris. © Adagp, Paris 2024. Photo by Eric Emo/Musée Zadkine/Paris Musées;
LOT-ART SERVICES FOR COLLECTOR
NEW! Best Deals: Bid on highly liquid lots with an estimate below the historical sale price. Make smart investment decisions powered by Market Analytics. Discover Best Deals >>
Market Analytics: Lot-Art big data analytics assess the liquidity, actual value, investment risk and profitability of fine art (contemporary art, modern art, old masters) and luxury collectibles (timepieces), enabling informed investment decisions within a strategy of portfolio diversification. Discover Market Analytics >>
Lot-Art Memberships: Receive Personalized Alerts on your favorite artists and collectibles at auction worldwide to never miss a bid! Subscribe now >>
Lot-Art.com is the world's largest search engine & aggregator of art and collectibles linking to 3800+ auction houses! Find best deals from your favorite artists and brands among 1 million lots for sale every day in our upcoming section >>
LOT-ART | The Art Investment Platform
Lot-Art.com is the largest search engine & aggregator for auctions of art and collectibles linking to 3800+ auction houses! Find best deals from your favorite artists and brands among 1 million lots for sale every day in our upcoming section.
LOT-ART | The Art Investment Platform
contact@lot-art.com
|
|
|
|
|---|
Don't want these emails anymore? |
|
|
|---|
|
