The Life and Journey of Michel Kikoine
Born in Rechytsa, present-day Belarus, Michel Kikoine was the son of a Jewish banker from the town of Gomel. His artistic path began in his teens while studying at "Kruger's School of Drawing" in Minsk, where he formed a lifelong friendship with Chaïm Soutine. By 1911, Kikoine had moved to the Montparnasse quarter in Paris to join a growing artistic community. He enrolled in the École des Beaux-Arts in Cormon's studio and lived at La Ruche for a time.
Kikoine's life was marked by significant transitions, including serving in the French army during World War I and later facing the threat of deportation during the occupation of France in World War II. During the war, he and his family stayed near Toulouse. Following the liberation, he returned to Paris, where his work focused on:
- Nudes
- Autoportraits
- Portraits
Artistic Style and Movement
As a member of the Ecole de Paris art movement, Kikoine's work evolved through post-Impressionist painting. He sought to show the unmediated experience of nature, capturing its passion and depth. His style was characterized by an expressionist language that reflected the experience of Jewish existence and the anxiety of a foreigner far from home.
Throughout his career, Kikoine exhibited internationally across Europe and in New York, and he also exhibited in Israel. His successful exhibitions included:
- A first solo exhibition in 1919 at the Chéron Gallery
- Regular exhibitions at the Salon d'Automne
