Favorite Jewish Artists: Moise Kisling

My South African wife, who came to me late in life, is Jewish, and has spurred many new interests in me, one of which is a fascination with the many awesome accomplishments of talented Jewish artists. Here are some beautiful works by the Polish-born Jewish artist Moise Kisling, 1891-1953. Like so many young artists of his time, Kisling moved to Paris in 1910 to continue his studies. When World War I intervened, Kisling joined the French Foreign Legion and fought until he was badly wounded at the Somme. He continued to live and paint in France for the next 27 years, during which he became a close friend of many Parisian artists, including Amedeo Modigliani. When war broke out again in 1940, he once more volunteered to fight. But when the French Army was defeated, Kisling knew his Jewish origins would be a problem under the Nazis, and he went to the United States. He lived in California until 1946, then returned to his beloved France, where he died in 1953.