The Evolution of the Avant-Garde: Modigliani, Picasso and the Voices of Modernity

  PADUA -- This autumn, Palazzo Zabarella, Padua, invites visitors to discover Modigliani, Picasso and the Voices of Modernity – a contemporary art exhibition tracing the evolution of the avant-garde through mixed medium innovation and explorations in colour and form.

 In collaboration with the Lille Métropole Musée d'art moderne, d'art contemporain et d'art brut (LaM) and with the support of the Bano Foundation, the exhibition features 65 works by 30 avant-garde artists drawn from the collection of Roger Dutilleul and curated by LaM’s Jeanne-Bathilde Lacourt. Visitors are invited to explore a visual narrative of the avant-garde and its evolution through six chapters, each centred around a particular movement and shaped by the innovations of a new generation whose works transformed the artistic landscape of the twentieth century.

  The Lille Métropole Musée d'art moderne, d'art contemporain et d'art brut was the first museum to bring together the principles of Modern Art, Contemporary Art and Art Brut. This multi-layered, nuanced approach to contemporary art is visible throughout the exhibition as each chapter pays homage to a particular artistic movement and places iconic names alongside lesser-known voices and self-taught artists.

 The exhibition shines a particular light on Amedeo Modigliani, whose evocative portraits and nudes reflect his nuanced portrayal of the ‘ideal’ human form, approached through a series of portraits and nudes that span different artistic influences. Among the featured works are ‘Nude Seated with Shirt’ (1917), ‘Maternity’ (1919), and ‘Moïse Kisling’ (1915).

  However, it is among the ‘Tubist’ works of Fernand Léger, particularly ‘The Mechanic’ (1918) and the ‘Reclining Woman’ (1913) which sit at the intersection of Cubism, Futurism, and abstraction, that a quote from the artist encapsulates the essence of the exhibition:“In every era of its existence and history, human beings have associated colour with their joys, their actions, and their pleasures.”

  This exhibition presents a profound study of colour and, in its inexhaustible contrasts and variety alongside simultaneous intensity and restraint, it offers a compelling allegory for human emotion. As artificial intelligence continues to permeate visual media, this exhibition stands as a necessary counterpoint, rooted in the human condition, innovation, and artistic experimentation.

  This perspective has been made possible by the generosity of key supporters, including Federico Bano, President of the Bano Foundation, and Fernando Mazzocca, the Foundation’s Culture Director. Their support has allowed Palazzo Zabarella, in partnership with LaM, to present a European and international view of the avant-garde – one that resonates with students, expats, and international visitors alike.

  Sébastien Faucon, Director of LaM, and Jeanne-Bathilde Lacourt, frame the collection as a unique opportunity to reengage with the human aspects of artistic creation, particularly amongst new generations of avant-garde artists and their audiences.

  Modigliani, Picasso and the Voices of Modernity will run from the 16th of October 2025 to the 25th of January 2026. Tickets start at €16,00 and reduced admission at €10,00 is available for students of the University of Padua and Academy of Fine Arts of Venice.

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