Portrait of Madeleine Sologne - Moïse Kisling

A 1942 portrait by Moïse Kisling featuring the actress Madeleine Sologne, noted for the artist's signature elongated features and expressive, oversized eyes.

Moïse Kisling, a central figure of the School of Paris, painted this portrait of the French actress Madeleine Sologne in 1942. The work displays the characteristic stylistic traits that defined his career, particularly his focus on the expressive potential of the human face. Sologne is depicted with the elongated features and oversized, luminous blue eyes that became a hallmark of Kisling's portraiture. These features create a sense of detachment, drawing the viewer into a quiet, introspective space.

The subject wears a dark, simple dress, which provides a stark contrast to the elaborate, floral-patterned shawl draped over her shoulders. The shawl is rendered with meticulous attention to detail, featuring a complex array of colours and organic motifs that echo the foliage in the background. Kisling uses this contrast to balance the stillness of the figure with the decorative energy of her attire. The background, composed of dense, dark greenery, suggests an outdoor setting, yet it remains flattened and stylised, ensuring the focus remains entirely on the sitter.

Kisling's technique here is precise, with smooth brushwork that minimises the appearance of the artist's hand. This approach allows for a clear, almost porcelain-like finish on the skin of the subject. The composition is balanced and formal, reflecting the influence of both classical portraiture and the modern sensibilities of the early twentieth-century Parisian avant-garde. By placing Sologne against a natural backdrop, Kisling creates a tension between the artificiality of the portrait and the organic world, a common theme in his work during this period. This print captures the specific mood of the original, preserving the interplay between the subject's gaze and the decorative elements of her clothing.