Lot Essay
This drawing is closely related to a portrait of Picasso which Modigliani painted in 1915 (sale, Christie's, London, November 29, 1993, lot 18). During the previous year Modigliani painted Diego Rivera, and in 1915 he also made portraits of Juan Gris, Moïse Kisling, Celso Lagar, Henri Laurens and Chaim Soutine (for a pencil study of the latter, see sale, Christie's, New York, May 10, 1995, lot 4).
At the Café de la Rotunde in Montparnasse Modigliani's friend Ortiz de Zarate pointed out Picasso as he walked by: "Dedo [Modigliani] was not impressed by this fellow walking his dog--this short squat man. Picasso was well-built for his size with full, strong features and thick shiny black hair." (P. Sichel, Modigliani, London, 1967, p. 79)
Despite his initial impressions, Modigliani quickly came to respect and admire Picasso's innovative talent. In both the oil painting and the present drawing Modigliani hints at a sly, almost mischievous character. Across the bottom of the oil painting he wrote savoir (knowledge), alluding to Picasso's deep understanding of art and his supreme confidence as a painter.
At the Café de la Rotunde in Montparnasse Modigliani's friend Ortiz de Zarate pointed out Picasso as he walked by: "Dedo [Modigliani] was not impressed by this fellow walking his dog--this short squat man. Picasso was well-built for his size with full, strong features and thick shiny black hair." (P. Sichel, Modigliani, London, 1967, p. 79)
Despite his initial impressions, Modigliani quickly came to respect and admire Picasso's innovative talent. In both the oil painting and the present drawing Modigliani hints at a sly, almost mischievous character. Across the bottom of the oil painting he wrote savoir (knowledge), alluding to Picasso's deep understanding of art and his supreme confidence as a painter.