The artwork titled “Caryatid” by the artist Amedeo Modigliani, created circa 1912 in Paris, France, is an oil on canvas painting. This piece belongs to the Expressionism movement and falls under the genre of nude painting (nu). It is currently housed in the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The artwork presents an abstract and stylized depiction of a caryatid, a sculptural figure that typically serves an architectural function as a supportive column. The figure is depicted in a nude form, with its body rendered in warm, earthy tones of orange and brown, contrasted against darker and lighter areas in the background. The facial features are minimalistic and mask-like, characteristic of Modigliani’s oeuvre. The figure’s posture, with arms raised as if to support an unseen structure, conveys a sense of strength and elegance. The broad, expressive brushstrokes and the blending of colors add a dynamic and textured quality to the piece, emphasizing its emotional and expressive intensity.
