Artist. She is best known as the model and common-law wife of artist Amedeo Modigliani. Born to a Catholic family in Paris, Jeanne was introduced to the artistic community in Montparnasse by her brother, an aspiring painter. A beautiful young woman with considerable talent for drawing, she modeled for artist Tsuguharu Foujita before pursuing her own career and beginning study at the Academie Colarossi. It was there that she was introduced to Amedeo Modigliani in 1917. Despite the 14 year difference in their ages, the two quickly fell in love. Jeanne’s family vehemently objected to the relationship (Modigliani was Jewish), but she moved in with him, and gave birth to their daughter in 1918. Modigliani died on January 24, 1920. The distraught Jeanne, in the advanced stages of pregnancy, was taken to her family’s home, where she threw herself out of a fifth story window two days later, killing herself and the unborn child. Originally interred in the Cimetière de Bagneaux, her family, who blamed Modigliani for her death, finally relented 10 years later and her remains were moved to rest beside her beloved “Modi”. It was more than 30 years before the Hébuterne family would allow public access to Jeanne’s artwork. (bio by: Kristen Conrad)  Family links:  Children:  Jeanne Modigliani Nechtschein (1918 – 1984)* *Calculated relationshipCause of death: Suicide following the death of Modigliani