Becoming Modigliani

An insightful, myth-busting biography of early 20th-century Italian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani, seen through the lenses of the artist’s tuberculosis and other ailments.

Becoming Modigliani is a comprehensive biography that delves into the troubled life of the Jewish-Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani.; Written by Dr. Henri Colt, an internationally recognized lung specialist, the book examines the artist’s legend and Modigliani’s creative journey from a medical perspective, from his birth in Livorno, Italy, to his tragic death in a paupers’ hospital in Paris at the age of thirty-five, presumably from tuberculous meningitis.

Becoming Modigliani sheds light on the young man’s chronic illnesses, addictions, and relationships with friends and lovers as he navigated the vibrant yet challenging world of early twentieth-century Bohemian Paris. Beginning with “Modi’s” birth in 1884, the narrative is divided into five parts, seamlessly blending biographical elements with medical insights and a critical analysis of Modigliani’s work among some of the greatest artists of the time. It also provides thoughtful descriptions of a changing society governed by the impact of infectious diseases, war, and a flourishing of other creative geniuses such as Picasso, Jean Cocteau, and Guillaume Apollinaire.

With thirty-seven virtually standalone chapters, a preface and epilogue, three appendices, and a rich array of illustrations and references, this biography promises a profound and compassionate exploration of Modigliani’s embattled world. In Becoming Modigliani, Dr. Colt’s aim is to foster empathy and greater understanding by unraveling the intricate layers of Modigliani’s existence. The result is a captivating and deeply researched tale that will resonate with a diverse audience of serious readers, art and medical history enthusiasts, sociologists, and anyone interested in the human spirit.

Author Biography

Henri Colt is an American and French physician-writer and adventure traveler who has worked for over three decades caring for critically or terminally ill patients. Henri has lived and worked on six continents, frequently lecturing about lung diseases and the emotional burdens related to death and dying. Dr. Colt is also a medical ethicist, award-winning medical educator and philosopher whose interests range from science to art, film, and literature. Today he lives in Laguna Beach, California and Southern France.