Modigliani and Akhmatova by Karina Kulyk (Original Painting)

It is known that the artist Amadeo Modigliani met the Russian poetess Anna Akhmatova in Paris at the age of 25. Akhmatova was twenty at the time. The portraits do not reflect age, but rather are symbolic, as both figures later became great pillars of the Silver Age. Modigliani lived a short life and received worldwide recognition immediately after his death, while Akhmatova lived quite a long time and was already considered a literary cult figure during her lifetime. Their eternal glory is symbolized by the faces of Egyptian statues in the background, as well as their fascination with ancient Egyptian culture. These characters are tragic, dark, and decadent, and therefore continue to inspire mystics and lovers of dark aesthetics. Because the artist did not live long, he is painted as if in a photograph, dissolving in light, his appearance befitting his biography. Anna Akhmatova was called a Queen for her proud posture and profile. She was also a rather magical woman, though she did not practice magic, being essentially more demonic than angelic. Both great talents caused pain to their loved ones and were renowned for the complexity of their personal lives. Their romance was short-lived, but it remained forever in her memory as a union of souls. Even then, the poetess, seeing Modigliani’s paintings, knew they were masterpieces and was amazed that no one noticed, as the artist was extremely poor. This did not prevent them from enjoying poetry readings, strolling through Paris at night, visiting exhibitions and various mystical places together. Anna had many drawings of her portraits by Modigliani; he often painted her. Unfortunately, most of the collection was destroyed in a fire in her house.