Modigliani: Beyond the Myth (Jewish Museum) [Hardcover]

Mason Klein (Editor), Maurice Berger (Contributor), Emily Braun (Contributor), Ms. Tamar Garb (Contributor), Griselda Pollock (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 030010264X | ISBN-13: 978-0300102642 | Publication Date: May 11, 2004

Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920) is one of the greatest - and most misunderstood - artists of the twentieth century. His incisive portraits, erotically charged nudes, beautiful drawings, and primitivistic sculpture have been admired for decades. Modigliani's work, however, has typically been examined in the limited context of his so-called bohemian, anti-intellectual lifestyle. This groundbreaking book revises this approach toward Modigliani's art, presenting a convincing revisionist examination of the unique historical, social, religious, and cultural significance of his oeuvre. Modigliani: Beyond the Myth looks at the artist and his art from a variety of important perspectives: his proud heritage as a Sephardic Jew, whose spirituality embraced non-Western, classical, and Christian iconography while retaining his own ethnic identity; his critical engagement with the dialogues of the most radical of his avant-garde contemporaries (Picasso, Soutine, Matisse, and Brancusi); the influence of tribal art and Judaism on his portraiture; the representation of the female nude in his works from a feminist cultural perspective; and the remarkable reception of his work in Italy during his lifetime. Lavishly illustrated and including a detailed chronology of his life, this fascinating book situates Modigliani anew in the history of twentieth-century art.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This book is the catalogue for a major exhibition at The Jewish Museum, New York (May 21 to Semptember 19, 2004); the Art Gallery of Ontario (October 23, 2004 to January 23, 2005); and the Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C. (February 19 to May 29, 2005).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Museum (May 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 030010264X
• ISBN-13: 978-0300102642
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #314,053 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good catalogue for a good exhibition, April 8, 2007

By 

Claude Reich (Florianopolis, Brazil and Paris, France) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Modigliani: Beyond the Myth (Jewish Museum) (Hardcover)

There have been many publications on Modigliani lately and also many exhibitions (in Paris, London, NY). This particular book, which is the catalogue for a show at the Jewish Museum, is, in my opinion, the most original one in that it attempts to study the artist setting aside all the rest (that is "the myth"). The beautiful reproductions enable the reader to see what a revolutionary portraitist Modigliani was, even sometimes minimalist (to use a fashionable word). The provenance of the works shows that he did have early admirers, and not only among his peers or dealers.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book about a great artist, October 27, 2007

By 

GL Textiles "glt" (california) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Modigliani: Beyond the Myth (Jewish Museum) (Hardcover)

I came along Modigilian's Art druing a drawing class. I purchased a small book at a local bookstore first. I was so impressed over the artist and his paintings that I want to learn more about his work. He is a master painter of the early 20 th century. Some of his figures have a sence of sadeness in there way how they look . Some of the poses are oriented on classic old masters.Describtions are given in the book. Also you will see delightful abstract forms and colors. I really can recomend the book to everyone who wants to learn more about this great artist.
The book also shows images of drawings and sculptures.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Nitty-Gritty, July 1, 2009

By 

Theseus "theseus" (US of A) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Modigliani: Beyond the Myth (Hardcover)

This review relates to the paperback edition...

A handsome and heavy piece of work with high quality reproductions. 241 pp, illustrated throughout in color. Chronology, Index. 17 pp of End Notes and Bibliography.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Modigliani Against the Grain
Faces of Modigliani: Identity Politics Under Fascism
Making and Masking: Modigliani and the Problems of Portraiture

Modigliani and the Bodies of Art: Carnality, Attentiveness, and the Modernist Struggle
Epilogue: The Modigliani Myth

Plates
Chronology
Notes
Bibliography