Skip to product information
Tête de cariatide by Amedeo Modigliani
Tête de cariatide by Amedeo Modigliani
Tête de cariatide by Amedeo Modigliani
Tête de cariatide by Amedeo Modigliani
Tête de cariatide by Amedeo Modigliani
Tête de cariatide by Amedeo Modigliani
Tête de cariatide by Amedeo Modigliani
Buy with Confidence

At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.

Learn More

Tête de cariatide by Amedeo Modigliani

  • This monumental bronze is the work of visionary modernist, Amedeo Modigliani
  • It is an enlarged casting of a wooden sculpture — the only known sculpture the artist carved in wood
  • The work reflects Modigliani's innovative and highly recognizable elongated figures
  • Although best known for his paintings, Modigliani identified first as a sculptor
  • Get complete item description here
$1,850,000
Item No. 31-4791

To speak to one of our experts, call 1-888-711-8084

Description
Amedeo Modigliani
1884-1920 | Italian

Tête de cariatide
Head of Caryatid


Signed “Modigliani” and numbered “1/8” (near base)
Bronze

The figural works of the iconic modernist Amedeo Modigliani are known for their instantly recognizable style, and they are among the most coveted in the world of art collecting, with Modigliani ranking among the world’s ten most valuable artists of all time. This monumental bronze, conceived by the artist in 1910, demonstrates his. . .
Read more
Amedeo Modigliani
1884-1920 | Italian

Tête de cariatide
Head of Caryatid


Signed “Modigliani” and numbered “1/8” (near base)
Bronze

The figural works of the iconic modernist Amedeo Modigliani are known for their instantly recognizable style, and they are among the most coveted in the world of art collecting, with Modigliani ranking among the world’s ten most valuable artists of all time. This monumental bronze, conceived by the artist in 1910, demonstrates his mastery of sculpture. Sculpting was the artist’s self-proclaimed first and true passion — a fact sometimes overlooked due to the success of his paintings and the overwhelming rarity of his sculptures. His famed Tête series from which this bronze hails stands as his most important sculptural output, with works recognized for their timeless quality and strong, stoic presence. Tête de cariatide reflects these qualities and provides a compelling glimpse into Modigliani’s greatest artistic passion.

This bronze is an enlarged casting of a wooden sculpture — the only known sculpture that Modigliani carved in wood rather than stone. Commissioned posthumously by Modigliani’s daughter Jeanne alongside the Modigliani Institute, the bronze iteration here perfectly captures the rich woodgrain texture of Modigliani’s original carving and retains its careful compositional balance. Soulful and intense, it reflects the exaggerated yet elegant elongation of the artist’s figural paintings, which became his much sought-after signature style.

Modigliani’s interest in African and other non-Western art is well-documented. This bronze is reminiscent of a tribal mask or ancient deity, both due to its exaggerated features and the totemic appearance achieved by the work’s texture, meditative presence and sheer size. Yet the work also alludes to the artist’s Italian heritage and training. A caryatid is a staple of classical architecture, an ornate column typically found on the façade of a temple that takes the form of a female figure, with the most famous examples being on the Acropolis of Athens. The present sculpture exudes the same striking, memorable quality.

Born in Livorno, Italy in 1884, Modigliani dreamed of becoming a sculptor from a young age when he first encountered the grand marbles of Michelangelo. He moved to Paris in 1906, but it was not until 1909 after meeting modernist sculptor Constantin Brancusi that he began carving figures. For a time, he devoted himself almost entirely to sculpting, completing very few paintings between 1911 and 1914 but producing several sketches and gouaches relating to his sculptural projects. Modigliani exhibited a series of his sculptures in the 1912 Salon d'Automne.

Among the reasons Modigliani’s work is so highly sought after is the fact that the artist died at the premature age of 35, limiting his entire lifetime production to under 400 total artworks. Within that number, his sculptures are exceedingly rare; he only created around twenty-six total, most of which are held in museums such as the Museum of Modern Art (New York), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) and the Tate Gallery (London). Modigliani suffered from tubercular meningitis his entire life, which ultimately limited his ability to continue to pursue the physical and laborious art of sculpting, emphasizing this bronze’s importance and rarity with the artist's oeuvre. 

The other editions of this series can be found in public collections worldwide, including Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the exterior of the Casa Natale Modigliani in Rome, which houses the Modigliani Institut archives.

Conceived in 1910. Posthumous, contemporary casting circa 2006.

Bears the foundry mark of Paolo Olmeda as well as the artist’s signature and edition number “1/8”

24" wide x 34" deep x 90" high
Base: 35 3/4" wide x 45 3/4" deep x 28" high
Read less
Tête de cariatide by Amedeo Modigliani
Period: 1919-Present
Origin: Italy
Type: Sculpture
Depth: 34.0 Inches
Width: 24.0 Inches
Height: 90.0 Inches
Style: Modernism
Tête de cariatide by Amedeo Modigliani
Enter the Third Dimension: Decorating with Sculpture

    When one thinks about adding to their art collection or decorating their home, naturally the thing that first comes to mind is a two-dimensional work of art for a wall or...

Read more
Buy with Confidence

At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.

Learn More

Recently Viewed


The M.S. Rau Difference

The M.S. Rau Difference

The M.S. Rau Difference

Our philosophy has always been to offer clients only the very finest antiques, works of art and jewelry, and to back every transaction with the highest level of customer service. Earning your trust and delivering only the very best pieces is our top priority.

-Bill Rau, Third-Generation Owner

Fine Art

M.S. Rau is committed to offering fine art of the highest caliber and we seek paintings and sculpture by historically renowned artists, often with impressive provenance. The large majority of our works of art come from private. . .

M.S. Rau is committed to offering fine art of the highest caliber and we seek paintings and sculpture by historically renowned artists, often with impressive provenance. The large majority of our works of art come from private collections; many are fresh to the market. Founded on Bill Rau’s expertise in the field, our specialisms range from Old Master pictures to Modern Art masterpieces. We regularly exhibit Dutch, Flemish, and Italian Old Masters, Academic, Orientalist, Barbizon, Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Maritime & Sporting, British Neoclassical and American Illustration.

Our experienced fine art consultants offer personalized and confidential fine art consultation services to all clients. Whether you are looking to begin collecting art, grow an existing collection, or redefine your collecting strategy, M.S. Rau can support you on this journey.

Jewelry

For more than a century, M.S. Rau has offered clients a superb selection of the highest quality jewelry. From the rarest colored diamonds, to the most sublime gemstones, to the most exquisite designer jewelry, M.S. Rau houses. . .

For more than a century, M.S. Rau has offered clients a superb selection of the highest quality jewelry. From the rarest colored diamonds, to the most sublime gemstones, to the most exquisite designer jewelry, M.S. Rau houses an extraordinary collection of fine jewels to satisfy the most discerning collector. Stunning creations by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston and Patek Philippe are offered alongside extreme rarities such as vivid yellow, pink and blue diamonds, coveted Burma and Kashmir sapphires and elusive Golconda diamonds prized for their fire and perfection. Iconic jewels from the Art Deco, Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Victorian periods round out the collection.

Antiques

Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the. . .

Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the world’s most extraordinary and beautiful treasures has remained steadfast and our acquisition philosophy is simple: seek out and acquire only the very finest works whose provenance, beauty and rarity set them apart from all others. Our clients can be certain that each and every piece in our gallery has been hand-selected and carefully vetted for authenticity, condition and provenance. And, because our network of contacts spans generations, we are often able to acquire pieces that may have otherwise never been available on the market.

Whether you are just starting your collection, adding to an existing collection or even decorating your home, our team’s knowledge and experience can assist you in your endeavor. We have services and procedures in place to make your acquisition process both enjoyable and efficient.