Comparison Of Lin And Modigliani Portraits Implication The Spirit Of The Demands

This thesis is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on the analysis and comparison of the spiritual pursuit in both Lin Fengmian's and Modigliani's works of portrait. Though both suffering comparatively cruel fates, they held different attitudes towards life because of the different cultural influences. In his prime, Lin Fengmian completed the essence of harmony in art and spirit by combining acknowledge and quietness. Modigliani faced the tragedy of life, acting like Dionysus. What he demonstrated to us in his works is the "human" who is full of vitality both formally and spiritually. That is the essence of Modigliani's art, and the sustenance of his life as well. The second part of this thesis analyzes the similarities and differences between their absorption and reference of traditional and modern artistic languages under the influence of their spiritual pursuits. They were both influenced by the thought trends of primitivism in European modern arts. The difference is that Lin Fengmian tended to absorb the religious endurance in the primitive art, while Modigliani was interested in human being's vitality and lust. Lin Fengmian treated the tradition by deducing and amending it, which brought tradition into present. While by using his works, Modigliani defended the art tradition of the Italian renaissance under the anti-traditional environment of European modern art, making himself a guardian of "human".