KIKOÏNE Michel
Friend of Soutine and painter of La Ruche, Michel Kikoïne (1892-1968) is a figure of the École de Paris. Discover his lithographs above.
Michel Kikoïne, the painter of La Ruche and Burgundy
Michel Kikoïne (1892-1968) belongs to the legendary generation of painters from Eastern Europe who formed the École de Paris. A childhood friend of Chaïm Soutine and a companion of La Ruche, he developed an expressive, vibrant, and warm painting style, dedicated to landscapes, portraits, and scenes of family life.
- 1892: born on May 31 in Gomel, present-day Belarus.
- 1908-1911: studies at Vilnius School of Drawing with Soutine and Krémègne.
- 1912: arrives in Paris and settles at La Ruche.
- 1914-1918: joins the French army.
- 1924: naturalized French.
- 1930s-1960s: regular stays in Annay-sur-Serein, Burgundy.
- 1968: passed away in Cannes on November 4th.
The Vilnius Trio
Born into a Jewish family in Gomel, Michel Kikoïne studied at the Vilnius drawing school, where he formed a deep friendship with Chaïm Soutine and Pinchus Krémègne. The three young men dream of Paris, the art capital. Kikoïne arrives there in 1912 and settles at La Ruche, the famous artists' colony in the passage de Dantzig, where also reside Marc Chagall, Fernand Léger, Ossip Zadkine, and Jacques Lipchitz.
Montparnasse and the School of Paris
Kikoïne attends the École des Beaux-Arts and frequents Montparnasse cafés, where artists gather Amedeo Modigliani, , Moïse Kisling, , Jules Pascin and Léonard Foujita. During World War I, he joined the French army. Naturalized in 1924, he regularly exhibited at the Salon d'Automne and the Salon des Indépendants, gaining increasing success.
A feverish and tender painting
Like Soutine, Kikoïne paints with a nervous and generous touch, using rich material and an intense palette. However, where his friend expresses anguish, Kikoïne conveys tenderness and the joy of life. His favorite subjects include the landscapes of Burgundy, where he frequently stays in Annay-sur-Serein, portraits of his wife and children, maternity scenes, still lifes, and flower bouquets. His trees, fields, and villages seem to vibrate under the wind and light.
War and the Last Years
During World War II, threatened due to his origins, Kikoïne sought refuge in the Southwest. After the war, he resumed his stays in Burgundy and traveled to Israel. He passed away in Cannes in 1968. His work is now held in numerous museums, notably at the Petit Palais Museum in Geneva.
Lithographs by Michel Kikoïne
Kikoïne created lithographs featuring his major themes: Burgundy landscapes, maternity, music, and family scenes. Signed or published in albums dedicated to the painters of the École de Paris, they offer insight into the sensitivity of this colorist through vibrant works on paper.
Choosing a Work by Michel Kikoïne
- The landscapes of Burgundy and maternities are the most emblematic subjects of his work.
- Signed lithographs are cherished pieces for École de Paris enthusiasts.
- His small-format prints are easy to hang and bring warmth to any room.
- Each artwork offered by the gallery is precisely described and sold with an invoice-certificate.
Michel Kikoïne at Galerie 125
The gallery presents its lithographs "Paysage en Bourgogne," signed, and "Maternité et musique," from 1963. A splendid introduction to the work of a painter from the École de Paris, available for online purchase and swift delivery, with tracking, insurance, and certificate. Other painters from La Ruche and Montparnasse: Marc Chagall, , Ossip Zadkine and Moïse Kisling.
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