Girl with Green Shawl - Moïse Kisling

A 1919 portrait by Moïse Kisling, featuring a subject wrapped in a dark green shawl, rendered with the stylised features typical of the School of Paris.

Moïse Kisling, a central figure of the School of Paris, produced this portrait in 1919. The work captures a subject draped in a heavy, dark green shawl, which dominates the composition. Kisling employs a distinct approach to the human form, characterised by stylised features and a deliberate departure from strict realism. The subject possesses large, almond-shaped eyes and a melancholic expression, traits frequently observed in the artist's portraiture during this period.

The background features a window, providing a glimpse of a simplified exterior. This element creates a contrast between the interior space and the outside world, while the muted tones of the wall and the window frame ensure the focus remains on the figure. Kisling's brushwork is controlled, building the volume of the shawl through subtle gradations of green and shadow. The hand, positioned near the centre, is rendered with a focus on form rather than anatomical precision, reflecting the artist's interest in the expressive potential of shape and colour.

Kisling moved to Paris in 1910 and became associated with the artistic community in Montparnasse. His work often synthesises influences from his contemporaries, including Amedeo Modigliani, while maintaining a personal aesthetic defined by a balance of structure and emotion. This portrait demonstrates his ability to create a sense of presence through simplified planes and a restrained palette. The green of the shawl acts as the primary visual anchor, drawing the viewer into the quiet, contemplative atmosphere of the scene. By focusing on the interplay between the fabric and the sitter's features, Kisling achieves a composition that is both balanced and evocative, typical of his output in the years following the First World War.