On seeing Modigliani at Tate Modern
Modigliani has come to Modern Tate
And off the bat let’s say it’s a great show.
It’s over-due (by years) that we should fête
the stunning works of Livorno’s Amedeo.
His vision filtered through his love of Egypt
and all the treasures studied in the Louvre.
His sitters almond-eyed, and very small-lipped,
(only a few non-portraits in his oeuvre).
He wanted to be known for his sculpture,
but paintings are his main gift to our culture.
Oft in big shows there’s lots of filler
not here – the curators really got great pix
Work after work’s a real thriller
with sculptures too, and sketches in the mix.
Development seems low – but then he died young,
the style he found didn’t need much change.
E’en so the walls with masterpieces are hung –
enjoy the depth of work, if not the range.
An artist that makes you stop and wonder
if art since then has rather made a blunder.
The Art Sonneteer
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