Director Jinsoo Lee’s plastic surgery essay 32- Amedeo Modigliani's Long Midface

Amedeo Modigliani (1884~1920) is regarded as one of the most handsome figures among the great artists of the time.

 

[Image source: Google]

The handsome young man had a fatal flaw—his weak and delicate body, plagued by tuberculosis throughout his life.  Amedeo Modigliani (1884~1920) is regarded as one of the greatest handsome artists of his time, hailing from Italy. Despite his good looks, Modigliani suffered from a weak and delicate constitution, battling tuberculosis for his entire life.

After receiving art education in Italy, Modigliani ventured to Paris at the age of 22 in 1907, embarking on the path of a professional artist.

During his time in Paris, from 1910 onwards, he dedicated several years exclusively to sculpture. His sculptures were heavily influenced by African primitive art, which also had a significant impact on the contemporary Cubist sculptors. Modigliani mainly sculpted heads, featuring extremely narrow foreheads and very long noses as distinctive traits.

"Portrait of a Woman," 1910-1911/ image source: Google

  

However, the frail Modigliani couldn't endure the physically demanding work environment, and in 1913, he ceased his sculpture work. Afterward, he immersed himself in painting.

The time dedicated to sculpture was not in vain, as the shift in his artistic style before and after that period was quite significant.

 

  

                                                                    [Image source: Google]

This painting is a portrait of the patron 'Paul Alexandre' from 1909. Although it is very well-executed, it does not significantly differ from the typical feeling of the Fauvist movement of that time.

 

"Jeanne Hebuterne with Large Hat," 1918-1919 / Image source : Google

After dedicating himself to sculpture, Modigliani's painting underwent a transformation in the facial features of his subjects. The above painting is a portrayal of Jeanne Hébuterne, the only woman he married and had a child with, in contrast to his numerous depictions of women and nudes. The narrow forehead and extremely long nose in this painting resemble his sculptures, establishing this facial style as Modigliani's trademark.

 He created his own unique world of painting that did not conform to any contemporary art movement in Paris.

When speaking of Modigliani, one cannot overlook his love story with his wife, Jeanne Hébuterne. In 1917, Jeanne Hébuterne (1898-1920), the most significant person in Modigliani's life, entered the scene. She was a 19-year-old art student at the time.

Upon meeting, they fell passionately in love, defied her parents' opposition, got married, and had their first child. When she was pregnant with their second child, Modigliani's originally chronic tuberculosis worsened, leading to fatal tuberculous meningitis. Tragically, deeply in love with him, she chose to end her life the day after his passing.

Though their lives were cut short at an early age, their love story and art continue to resonate with many people.

Modigliani's paintings are characterized by faces with extremely long noses, and such faces are referred to as having a long midface.

What exactly is the midface, and how is it defined?

The midface is the portion of the face located in the middle when the face is divided into three sections. Generally, it refers to the area from the eyebrows to the tip of the nose. The length of the midface is closely related to the length of the nose. In simple terms, if the nose is short, the midface is considered short, and if the nose is long, the midface is considered long.

The actual length of the midface is determined by the position and size (length) of the openings for the eyes and nose on the skull. In cases where the midface is long, the openings for the eyes and nose are positioned in a way that makes the area between them longer. This results in the nose appearing longer compared to the width between the eyes.

 

When observing the growth of the face, there is often a significant increase in length compared to the width. The midface, or the length of the nose, is no exception.

Generally, the relative length of the nose increases during the growth process. Additionally, as a sexual characteristic, the noses of males tend to be relatively larger compared to females. One of the features of an elongated midface is that the nose appears shorter compared to the distance between the eyes. In contrast, a long midface can make a face look older and, in the case of females, may impart a more masculine appearance.

While an elongated midface may be aesthetically appealing in Modigliani's artwork, in reality, it can present cosmetic issues, making a person look older or more masculine, especially in the case of females.

Unfortunately, there are no surgical procedures to reduce the actual length of the midface. Even if corrective jaw surgery is performed to address facial shape issues, it cannot reduce the actual length of the midface.

Typically, cases where corrective jaw surgery is effective involve situations where the length of the lower jaw (mandible) is shorter relative to the length of the midface. In such cases, performing jaw surgery can significantly reduce the overall length of the face, especially when smiling or at rest, making the teeth or gums less prominent.

Although it is not possible to surgically shorten the skeletal length of the midface, there are surgeries that can create the appearance of a shorter midface. Two types of surgeries are commonly used to address the perception of a short midface: surgeries that make the nose appear shorter and surgeries that reduce the length of the chin.

One approach to making the nose appear shorter involves lowering the nasal bridge, effectively lowering the starting point of the nose. This can be achieved by removing or replacing previous implants used to heighten the nose. Conversely, in individuals with a long midface, one should be cautious when considering raising the nasal bridge, as it might make the midface appear longer. Another method involves lifting the nasal tip, which is particularly effective for individuals with a drooping nasal tip, such as those with saddle nose deformities. However, this procedure may not be suitable for noses that are already sufficiently elevated.

In cases where the midface is long, resulting in an elongated chin, chin reduction surgery may be considered. This procedure involves making an incision below the nose to reduce the length of the chin. Before undergoing this surgery, one should carefully weigh the potential benefits of reduction against the risk of scarring.

It's common for individuals with concerns about their facial appearance to express dissatisfaction with the perceived length of their midface. However, addressing these concerns through surgery requires careful consideration and consultation with a qualified professional. Before proceeding with any surgery, a thorough diagnosis and advice from a reputable specialist are crucial.

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