Artwork
Woman with Red Hair
Woman with Red Hair is an oil painting by Amedeo Modigliani. It dates from 1917 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1917, this oil on canvas portrays a seated woman with striking red hair.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:upper right: modigliani
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The subject is presented without narrative or allegorical accessories, allowing the formal qualities of line and color to convey emotional resonance.
The painting portrays a solitary female sitter rendered in Modigliani's characteristic elongated style, her identity remaining unspecified. Her direct gaze and the vivid red of her hair function as central iconographic elements that emphasize both individual presence and a sensual, introspective mood. The work is interpreted as an exploration of feminine allure and psychological depth within early twentieth‑century portraiture.
The subject is presented without narrative or allegorical accessories, allowing the formal qualities of line and color to convey emotional resonance. This focus on the sitter's inner expression aligns with modernist trends that prioritized subjective perception over external symbolism.
History & Provenance
Amedeo Modigliani created Woman with Red Hair in 1917. The painting's ownership chain began in Paris with M. Libaud, followed by Léopold Zborowski. By 1925, it was with Bing et Cie, after which it passed to Jacques Netter, Etienne Bignou, and Kraushaar.
Kraushaar sold the work on March 5, 1928, to Chester Dale in New York. Upon Dale's death in 1962, the painting was bequeathed to the National Gallery of Art in 1963.
Woman with Red Hair has been part of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., since it was bequeathed in 1963 by Chester Dale, who had purchased it on 5 March 1928 from the Kraushaar Gallery in Paris. The painting's earlier ownership passed through M. Libaud in Paris, Léopold Zborowski, Bing et Cie (by 1925), Jacques Netter, and the dealer Étienne Bignou before reaching Kraushaar. The Kraushaar Gallery Records, held in the Archives of American Art, document the 1928 sale through outgoing and incoming correspondence, with transcripts preserved in the NGA curatorial files.
Overview
Created in 1917, this oil on canvas portrays a seated woman with striking red hair. The composition places her against a muted green‑gray backdrop, her left arm resting on the back of a red chair. Dressed in a dark garment with a white collar, she gazes downward, her expression subdued and contemplative.
Technique & Style
Modigliani employs his characteristic fluid lines and simplified forms, elongating the neck and facial features to achieve a stylized elegance. The contrast between the deep reds of the chair and hair and the soft background creates depth, while the brushwork remains smooth, emphasizing the painting’s serene mood over detailed texture.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Amedeo Clemente Modigliani (US: ; Italian: ; 12 July 1884 – 24 January 1920) was an Italian painter and sculptor of the École de Paris who worked mainly in France.
