In addition to permanent collections, Ateneum organises exhibitions of famous Finnish and international artists. Right now Ateneum is hosting unique
up till 5th of February 2017.
In the link you'll find extensive articles on Modigliani's (1884-1920) art and life. So I tell only briefly that he was an Italian jewish painter and sculptor who worked mainly in France. He is known for portraits and nudes in a modern style characterized by elongation of faces and figures, that were not received well during his lifetime, but later found acceptance.
Modigliani's health was not good, he suffered of tuberculosis. And he thought he'll die anyway young so he spent a wild life with alcohol and drugs. He died of tubercular meningitis at the age of 35.
There was also a tragic love story with the young Jeanne Hébuterne. She gave birth to their first child and was pregnant with the second when Modigliani died. The next day Jeanne jumped out of the window killing herself and the unborn baby. Their young daughter became an orphan.
Working during that fertile period of “isms” - Cubism, Dadaism. Surrealism, Futurism - Modigliani did not choose to be categorized within any of these prevailing, defining confines. He was unclassifiable, stubbornly insisting on his difference. He was an artist putting down paint on canvas creating works not to shock and outrage, but to say, “This is what I see.”
Since his death, Modigliani's reputation has soared. Nine novels, a play, a documentary, and three feature films have been devoted to his life. Modigliani's sister in Florence adopted their daughter, Jeanne (1918–1984). As an adult, she wrote a biography of her father titled Modigliani: Man and Myth.
Usually I tell you about Finnish artists but this is a great happening in Helsinki. The Modigliani Exhibition was opened a few days ago, so I have not yet visited it myself but will that's for sure.
Hope you enjoyed!
PS
All photos used are free to be published under licence CC BY-3.0 or Public domain
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