**First Time At Auction**

Moise Kisling (Polish-French, 1891-1953). "Port of Marseille" oil on wood panel, n.d. Signed at lower right. A beautiful maritime painting by Moise Kisling, likely painted when Kisling lived in the artist community of Montparnasse in the south of Paris on the left bank of the river Seine. In this composition, Kisling featured two vessels - one flying a French flag - in the Port of Marseille, with a bustling metropolitan skyline in the distance. Ports and harbors along the coasts of France and Italy were among Kisling's favorite subjects, and he returned to them often as they offered a peaceful alternative to urban life. The inclusion of the French flag is interesting, because Kisling served in the French Foreign Legion during World War I and also joined the French Army in 1940. All is delineated in a rich color palette and an expressionist style that appeals to the senses. Along with luminaries such as Chaime Soutine and Marc Chagall, Kisling was part of the Jewish School of Paris or the School of Montparnasse, a group of artists known for employing an expressionist manner to convey palpable emotion and mood in their paintings. Size: 7.75" L x 9.875" W (19.7 cm x 25.1 cm) Size: 12.25" L x 14.25" W (31.1 cm x 36.2 cm)

Born in Krakow, Austria-Hungary, Moise Kisling studied at the School of Fine Arts in Krakow. His mentors encouraged him to travel to Paris, the art capital of the world in the early 20th century. Kisling took their advice and moved to Montmartre in 1910 followed by Montparnasse. During World War I Kisling served in the French Foreign Legion, and suffered serious wounds in the Battle of the Somme in 1915, for which the French government awarded him citizenship. Kisling became a member of Montparnasse's artistic community where he established a studio in the same building as Amedeo Modigliani and Jules Pascin in 1913, living and working there for 27 years. Modigliani became a close friend and part of the same Bohemian circle; the two even shared a studio space together, and Modigliani painted a portrait of Kisling in 1915 (Pinacoteca di Brera, accession no. 5037). In 1940, Kisling served in the French Army, but after their surrender to the Germans, Kisling, who was Jewish, emigrated to the United States. He had exhibitions in New York as well as Washington, and lived in California until 1946. Kisling passed away in Sanary-sur-Mer, Var, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France on April 29,1953.

Provenance: private Delray Beach collection, Florida, USA, acquired 2017; ex-private R. Stone collection, Palm Beach Florida, USA

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#176295

Signed at lower right. Vivid imagery and nice coloration. Panel shows normal age wear with scuffs on the verso of the wood panel and nicks to the peripheries. Frame shows expected age wear with abrasions and losses as shown. Fit with suspension wire.