KISLING Moïse

Friend of Modigliani and Montparnasse figure, Moïse Kisling (1891-1953) is renowned for his portraits with large, melancholic eyes. Discover his lithograph above.

Moïse Kisling, the "Prince of Montparnasse"

Moïse Kisling (1891-1953) is one of the most endearing figures of the École de Paris. A friend of Modigliani, Soutine, and Picasso, he embodied the vibrancy of Montparnasse in the 1920s. His portraits of women with large melancholic eyes, his nudes, flowers, and Mediterranean landscapes, painted with smooth texture and intense colors, earned him considerable success.

• 1891: born in Krakow, January 22.
• 1906-1910: studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow.
• 1910: arrives in Paris, settles in Montparnasse.
• 1914-1915: enlisted in the Foreign Legion, severely wounded.
• 1920s: international success, portraitist of Parisian society.
• 1940-1946: exile in the United States.
• 1953: dies in Sanary-sur-Mer, April 29.

From Krakow to Montparnasse

Born into a Jewish family in Krakow, Moïse Kisling studied at the Fine Arts Academy in his city, where his professor Józef Pankiewicz encouraged him to move to Paris. He arrived there in 1910, at nineteen, and settled in Montparnasse, at 3 rue Joseph-Bara, where he briefly shared a studio with Amedeo Modigliani. He befriended Pablo Picasso, Chaïm Soutine, Jules Pascin, Léonard Foujita, and Max Jacob, frequenting the cafés of La Rotonde and Le Dôme.

War and Naturalization

In 1914, Kisling enlisted in the Foreign Legion to defend France. Severely wounded in 1915, he obtained French nationality. He married Renée Gros in 1917, a colorful figure of Montparnasse, and his studio became one of the most lively places in the neighborhood. His first major exhibition, at the Druet Gallery in 1919, launched his career.

A Distinctive Style

Initially influenced by Cézanne and Cubism, Kisling developed a highly personal style in the 1920s. His portraits, often of young women or children, feature oval faces, large almond-shaped eyes, porcelain skin, and bold colors. He also painted sensual nudes, still lifes, vibrant bouquets, and landscapes of the South, Provence, and Sanary, where he spent part of the year. He is also famous for his portrait of the model Kiki de Montparnasse.

Exile and Final Years

Demobilized in 1940, threatened as a Jew and former soldier, he sought refuge in the United States, where he exhibited in New York, Washington, and Los Angeles. He returned to France in 1946 and settled in Sanary-sur-Mer, where he died in 1953. His works are now featured in many museums, including the Petit Palais Museum in Geneva and the Centre Pompidou.

Kisling's Lithographs and Prints

Kisling created lithographs and book illustrations, including portraits of women, flowers, and views of Paris. The hand-signed proofs in pencil are the most sought after. His lithographs published in albums and magazines also showcase the elegance of his drawing.

Moïse Kisling at Galerie 125

The gallery presents above his lithograph "Paris - Café des Sirènes," a refined piece evoking the Paris of the Roaring Twenties. It can be ordered online and will be shipped with tracking, insurance, and a gallery certificate. Other École de Paris painters to discover: Michel Kikoïne, Marie Laurencin, and Marc Chagall.

Do you own a work by Moïse Kisling and wish to sell it? Find out how on our Sell a Work page.