Art Brokerage: 1884-1920 - Italian painter and sculptor, Amadeo Modigliani captivated by African masks and primitivism, perfecting the punctuality of line, mastering simplicity and grace in his shapes, using delicate colors and distortion of the body to highlight his models' personalities. Amedeo Modigliani was born on July 2nd, 1884, in Livorno, Italy. Youngest son of a wealthy Jewish couple, he is brought up in austerity and already suffers from his weak lungs. Pneumonia and tuberculosis will remain his main struggles throughout his life. Encouraged by his mother to develop his artistic talents, he leaves home at the age of 17 for Florence and later Venice, where he studies art. Five years later, in 1906, the young Amedeo arrives in Paris where he leads a calm life in Montmartre at first. He meets great art personalities of the avant-garde, such as Picasso, Utrillo, Jean Cocteau, Soutin. His first works show a rather moderate interest for cubism that is just starting, yet indicate affinities with Steinlen, Lautrec and the Picasso's of the Blue Period ("The Jewish Woman", 1908). He then dives into the thrill of Parisian nightlife, abusively consuming alcohol and drugs, and hopping from one love affair to another. His eccentric life style is also expressed by his dashing brown corduroy coat, the bright scarf around his neck, and his broad felt hat. Women found him irresistably attractive, he himself is fascinated by women. Unsurprisingly, portraits and female nude studies constitute the central theme of his oeuvre.