イタリアのリヴォルノに生まれ、21歳ごろパリに出ました。はじめは彫刻家をめざし、アフリカの仮面などに学んだ細長い石の頭部をつくりましたが、健康のこともあり絵に専念します。長い首、なで肩、アーモンド形の目をした独特の肖像画で知られます。生きているあいだは貧しく、35歳で病気のため亡くなりました。
Modigliani was born in Livorno, Italy, and moved to Paris at about 21. At first he wanted to be a sculptor. He carved long stone heads inspired by African masks and other art. Partly because of his health, he turned to painting. He is known for portraits with long necks, sloping shoulders and almond-shaped eyes. He was poor all his life and died of illness at 35.
