Amedeo Modigliani

AKA:

Modi

Birth Name:

Amedeo Clemente Modigliani

Birth Date:

July 12, 1884

Birth Place:

Via Roma 38, Livorno, Italy

Death Date:

January 24, 1920

Place of Death:

Hôpital de la Charité, Paris, France

Age:

Cause of Death:

Tubercular meningitis

Cemetery Name:

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

Claim to Fame:

Artists

Amedeo Modigliani was an Italian-born artist who moved to Paris in 1906, where he became known for his distinctive portraits and nudes, characterized by a surreal elongation of faces, necks, and figures — works that were not received well during his lifetime. His style evolved under the influence of various modernist movements, including post-impressionism, cubism, and African art. Modigliani's work often featured an intimate, sensual quality, with a focus on the human figure. Modigliani's life was marked by struggles, including poor health and financial hardship. He battled tuberculosis throughout much of his life, and his bohemian lifestyle in Paris exposed him to both the highs and lows of the city's artistic circles. He was known for his relationships with fellow artists including Pablo Picasso, Maurice Utrillo, Soutine and Constantin Brâncuși, as well as with several prominent women, including Jeanne Hébuterne, who was his muse and companion. Largely unrecognized during his lifetime, Modigliani sold most of his works, but never for any great amount of money and often for a meal or rent. Modigliani gained significant recognition after his death at age 35 where he died from complications of tubercular meningitis. Today, his works—especially his portraits and nudes—have since become highly valued with the sale of Nu couché (1917–18) sold at auction for $170.4 million in 2015 to billionaire Liu Yiqian. Today, he is considered one of the most influential artists of the early 20th century.

Not-So-Fun-Fact

When Modigliani passed away in 1920, there was an enormous funeral, attended by many from the artistic communities in Montmartre and Montparnasse. At the time of his passing, 21-year-old Jeanne Hébuterne (who was his muse, companion, model and gifted artist in her own right) was eight months pregnant with their second child. The day after Modigliani’s death, Hébuterne was taken to her parents’ home. There, inconsolable, she threw herself out of a fifth-floor window, killing herself and her unborn child. Modigliani was buried in Père Lachaise Cemetery. Hébuterne was buried at the Cimetière de Bagneux near Paris, and it was not until 1930 that her embittered family allowed her body to be moved to rest beside Modigliani. A single tombstone honors them both. His epitaph reads: “Struck down by death at the moment of glory”. Hers reads: “Devoted companion to the extreme sacrifice”.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

16 Rue du Repos, 6ème division, Chemin Lesseps

Paris, , 75020

France

Europe

Map:

Map of Cimetière du Père-Lachaise in Paris, France

Grave Location:

Division 96

Grave Location Description

Standing at the corner of Division 96 where Avenue Pacthod and Avenue Transversal 3 intersect, walk down about 8 tombs down Avenue Transversal 3 counting on the right. Walk up the path on the right approximately 6 rows and look for the red marble memorial with a cross on top and a large hedge. There you will find the tomb of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani and Jeanne Hébuterne.