max-jacob Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920)

The portrait presents a man in formal attire against a dark, textured background. The subject is positioned centrally within the frame, his gaze directed towards the viewer with a certain solemnity. He wears a black top hat and a suit jacket, complemented by a crisp white shirt and tie featuring a patterned design.
The artist employed an elongated style for the figures features, emphasizing a sense of angularity and refinement. The face is rendered in warm tones – ochre, brown, and touches of red – which contrast with the dark background and create a focal point. Eyes are narrow and deeply set, contributing to the overall impression of introspection or perhaps melancholy. A prominent ear adds to the subject’s distinctiveness.
The inscription MAX JACOB appears twice in the composition, once vertically on the left side and again mirrored on the right, integrated into the backgrounds texture. This repetition suggests a deliberate emphasis on identity and presence. The brushwork is visible throughout, adding a tactile quality to the surface of the painting.
Beyond a straightforward depiction, the work seems to explore themes of intellectualism and artistic persona. The formal dress code implies a certain social standing or professional role, while the elongated features and intense gaze suggest an inner life beyond superficial appearances. The repeated name reinforces the subjects identity as a creative individual – a poet, perhaps – and hints at a self-conscious awareness of his public image. The dark background serves to isolate the figure, intensifying the sense of introspection and creating a contemplative atmosphere.