Originally from Leghorn, Italy, Amedeo Modigliani arrived in Paris in 1906. He made friends with such luminary artists as Pablo Picasso, Maurice Utrillo and Henri Matisse. The art world of pre-war Paris was dominated by discussions of poetry, current events, philosophy and poetry. Modigliani's paintings are characterized by elongated necks and almond eyed subjects. A most handsome man, Amedeo had a considerable following among Parisian women. It is uncertain the effects the artist's intake of hashish and alcohol had on his productivity as a painter.