Sculpture was one of Modigliani's loves, an artistic passion that was far too costly to maintain. Between the approximate period of 1910 – 1914, Modigliani carved around twenty-three limestone heads similar to this one, however as the First World War began, the price of sculpture materials became prohibiive and drove him to focus on painting. While he initially tried to enlist in the army at the start of the war, his lifelong illness kept him from being accepted. The aforementioned illness may also have been a reason for him to discontinue sculpture; he was not physically well enough to handle the heavy stone and the dust caused by carving likely irritated his lungs.
SKU: 45413
Creator: Amedeo Modigliani
Date: ca. 1910-11
Original Medium: Limestone
Original Size: 16 7/16 x 4 15/16 x 6 11/16 in. base: 4 1/4 x 4 15/16 x 6 11/16 in.
Location: Princeton University Art Museum