ämādĕˈō mōdēlyäˈnē, 1884–1920, Italian painter, b. Livorno. In Paris after 1906, Modigliani's first work as a sculptor was influenced by cubism and African art. Soon, however, he developed a unique style in painting characterized by an elongation of form, a purity of line, and a languorous atmosphere reminiscent of Florentine mannerism. Although known to other artists, he remained unknown to the public during his short life, which was one of poverty, dissipation, and disease. Shortly after his death from tuberculosis, his magnificent portraits and figure studies became highly prized by collectors. Modigliani is well represented in the Art Institute of Chicago and in the Museum of Modern Art, New York City.

See biography by W. Fifield (1978); studies by J. Modigliani (1958), J. T. Soby (1963), A. Werner (1967), and A. S. Pfannsteil and B. Schuster (1986).

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