Chana ORLOFF (1888–1968) was a prominent Ukrainian-born French sculptor known for her expressive and modernist works, particularly in portraiture and figurative sculpture. She was an integral part of the École de Paris, a vibrant community of international artists who shaped early 20th-century modern art. Her sculptures, often cast in bronze or carved in stone, balanced stylization and realism, featuring smooth, flowing lines with a strong emphasis on structure and form. Whether depicting maternal figures, dancers, or stylized animals, her works conveyed both dynamism and restrained elegance. Her portrait busts were particularly notable for capturing not just physical resemblance but also the personality and essence of her subjects, demonstrating her mastery in blending strength with subtle emotional expression.
Born in Starokonstantinov, now in Ukraine, she emigrated to Palestine (then part of the Ottoman Empire) in 1905 before moving to Paris. Shortly after her arrival, she decided to pursue sculpture, enrolling in courses at the Russian Academy of Montparnasse. She soon befriended other young Jewish artists, including Marc Chagall, Amedeo Modigliani, and Pascin. In 1913, she exhibited at the Salon d’Automne, marking the beginning of her artistic recognition.
In 1925, Orloff and her son obtained French citizenship, and she was awarded the Légion d’Honneur. Around this time, she sculpted portraits of many prominent figures, including architects Pierre Chareau and Auguste Perret, painters Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, and Per Krohg, as well as poets Hayyim Nahman Bialik and Pierre Mac Orlan. At the start of World War II, she fled to Switzerland with her son and the painter Georges Kars. She returned to Paris in 1945 to find her home ransacked and the sculptures in her studio destroyed. Nevertheless, she continued to create, though her postwar style evolved.
Today, Orloff’s sculptures are celebrated for their emotional depth and modernist aesthetic, with her works featured in major museums and collections worldwide, including the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris. Her work offers insight into the evolution of modern sculpture and the role of female artists in the early 20th century. Her ability to bridge classical influences with modernist aesthetics cements her as a vital part of art history, inspiring contemporary artists and collectors alike.
