Portrait of Paulette Jourdain is a striking painting that exemplifies his signature elongated forms and melancholic elegance. The subject, Paulette Jourdain, was a young housemaid in the home of Modigliani’s dealer, Léopold Zborowski. She is depicted seated, her posture composed yet slightly stiff, with a solemn gaze that conveys quiet introspection. The muted color palette and simplified facial features reflect Modigliani’s modernist approach, influenced by African sculpture and Renaissance portraiture. The painting is one of Modigliani’s largest works and showcases subtle Cubist elements, particularly in the geometric treatment of the background. It was part of the personal collection of A Alfred Taubman and later sold at auction for $42.8 million in 2015. In 2023, it was auctioned again, fetching $34.9 million. This masterpiece remains a testament to Modigliani’s ability to capture depth and emotion through abstraction.