Experts report discovery of new painting by Modigliani

BELGRADE, Serbia — A previously unknown painting by early 20th-century painter Amadeo Modigliani has been discovered among the works owned by a Serbia-born collector.

The "Portrait of a Man" dates back to around 1918, Christian Parisot, director of Modigliani's Rome-based archives, said Tuesday. It was authenticated after 17 years of expert checkup.

The painting will be shown for the first time at an exhibition in the Serbian capital Belgrade in late November, according to the owner's wishes, the city authorities said.

The identity of the collector was not immediately revealed. Parisot said the man sought help 17 years ago to determine whether the painting he suspected was a Modigliani, was indeed an original.

"It's authentic," Parisot said. "After so many years of work, we can definitely say that."

The canvas measures 18 x 15 inches and shows an unknown young man. Experts said the oil colors had been watered, a sign that the artist was poor at the time of the work.

Modigliani (1884-1920) worked for most of his career in France. He was a distinguished member of the so-called Paris school of avant-garde artists.