Exhibition Notes & Curatorial Commentary
Moise Kisling, born on January 22, 1891, in Kraków, Poland, was a prominent painter associated with the School of Paris. From a young age, Kisling displayed a remarkable talent for art, studying at the School of Fine Arts in Kraków under Józef Pankiewicz. In 1910, he moved to Paris, settling in the vibrant Montparnasse district, where he mingled with influential artists like Amedeo Modigliani and Chaim Soutine. Kisling's style blended realism with modernist elements, characterized by vibrant colors and expressive forms. His portraits and still lifes are particularly noted for their emotional depth and lyrical quality. During World War I, Kisling joined the French Foreign Legion, earning French citizenship after being wounded in battle. World War II forced Kisling to flee to the United States, where he continued his artistic work in New York. After the war, he returned to France in 1946, continuing to paint and exhibit his work until his death on April 29, 1953, in Sanary-sur-Mer. Kisling's legacy endures through his distinctive and emotive art, which remains celebrated in major museums and collections worldwide.