Nude
- Artist: Amedeo Modigliani
- Date: (circa) 1916
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the “Nude” by Amedeo Modigliani. Created around 1916, it’s an oil on canvas that sits in a tight space but still feels monumental. Modigliani’s signature elongated figure appears here, but it’s not just his style; you can see clear echoes of Egyptian, African, and Oceanic sculpture that he studied in Paris’s ethnographic museum. Those influences give the face a timeless, almost mythic quality while the body keeps that unmistakable Modigliani grace.
It’s part of a celebrated series of female nudes from 1916‑17 that pushed the boundaries of early twentieth‑century art. When the group first showed in Paris, the police shut down the Berthe Weill Gallery because some paintings displayed pubic hair, which was considered obscene at the time. That incident highlights how bold Modigliani was—he challenged the social norms of his era while keeping his art intimate and deeply human.
The canvas size lets you see the subtle brushwork in the folds of fabric and the careful play of light on the skin. You’ll notice the subtle color palette—muted reds, ochres, and cool grays—that keeps the focus on form rather than spectacle. This piece encapsulates Modigliani’s blend of modernism and reverence for ancient traditions, making it a standout in any conversation about early modern art.
See it in person
Nude hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
