Amedeo Modigliani
1911-1912

Modigliani intended for the heads to be parts of ‘columns of tenderness’ within a primordial ‘temple of beauty’ that remained unrealized. According to the account of his close friend Jacob Epstein, Modigliani used to place candles on top of these heads during the night. Spurred on by marijuana, he would give the totemic, illuminated sculptures affectionate embraces.

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts