News from The Modigliani Initiative

February 25, 2025

An Exciting Year Ahead

Léon Bakst, 1917. Chester Dale Collection,
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

The Modigliani Initiative began the new year with an opportunity to speak about our work at the annual conference of the International Catalogue Raisonné Association (ICRA) in London. A varied array of international presenters discussed innovative ways of cataloguing the work of an artist or artist groups, with an eye toward transparency, while others highlighted the importance of collaboration. These themes align well with the Initiative’s guiding principles. In the spirit of collaboration, we are pleased to announce that we are joined by a new Advisor (details below). The legacy of Modigliani and the subjects of his captivating portraits continue to attract international attention. Herewith, we offer highlights of an upcoming auction and current exhibitions that feature his work.

New Advisor

We are thrilled to welcome Simonetta Fraquelli as an Advisor to our organization. Ms. Fraquelli is a distinguished art historian and curator specializing in early twentieth century art, with a focus on artists working in Paris. Her exceptional expertise in curating landmark Modigliani exhibitions will be invaluable in furthering the Initiative’s mission to honor and preserve Modigliani’s legacy and expand appreciation for the artist’s work worldwide. Ms. Fraquelli’s full biography can be found here.

Now Available: ICRA Annual Conference Recordings

The Modigliani Initiative participated in the Annual Conference of the International Catalogue Raisonné Association (ICRA) on January 9, 2025, in London. This year’s theme was New Thinking About the Catalogue Raisonné. The recording of our panel discussion, titled What's New? Part 2: What does the future look like? Fresh Perspectives is now publicly available and can be accessed here. An excellent overview of the full lineup of presentations can be read here.

Auction News

Lunia Czechowska, 1917. Private Collection

An exquisite portrait of Modigliani muse Lunia Czechowska will be offered for sale at Christie’s, London, on March 5. Lunia, whose husband was a friend of the art dealer Léopold Zborowski, later recalled that she was with Zborowski when he met the artist in 1916. This is one of four known portraits painted by Modigliani of the young Polish woman before he moved to the south of France in the spring of 1918. After his return to Paris a year later, he executed at least six more. More information can be accessed here.

Exhibition News

Echoes of the 20th Century: The Collections of the Bottari Lattes Foundation

Seated Man, Seated to the Right, n.d.,
Bottari Lattes Foundation, Monforte d’Alba, Italy

Echoes of the 20th Century: The Collections of the Bottari Lattes Foundation – From Modigliani to Pinot Gallizio will be on view from March 29 through May 11, 2025, at the Bottari Lattes Foundation in Monforte d'Alba, Italy. Featuring over 40 works from the personal collection of Mario Lattes, the show includes an animated Modigliani drawing of an unidentified pipe-smoker. More information can be accessed here.

Modigliani/Zadkine.
An Interrupted Friendship

Left: Ossip Zadkine, Tête de Femme, 1924, Musée Zadkine, Paris.
Right: Amedeo Modigliani, Tête de profil avec chignon et boucle d’oreille, c. 1911–13, Private Collection

This is a reminder that Modigliani/Zadkine. An Interrupted Friendship remains on view through March 30, 2025, at the Zadkine Museum in Paris. Featuring over 90 works, the show examines the friendship and artistic exchange between the sculptor Ossip Zadkine (1888–1967) and Modigliani (1884–1920), whose lives ultimately went in very different directions. More information can be accessed here.

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Leslie Koot | Julie Martin | Julia May Boddewyn

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