Born in Ukraine, Chana Orloff moved to Palestine as a child before settling in Paris in 1910 to pursue her artistic training. She became a central figure in the School of Paris, establishing her reputation through her distinct approach to sculpture that bridged traditional figurative representation with the sleek, modern sensibilities of the Art Deco movement.

Her practice primarily utilized bronze, wood, and stone to capture the essence of her subjects, ranging from intimate portraits of fellow artists and intellectuals to stylized depictions of women and children. Her work is noted for its clean lines and the reduction of form to its most expressive, essential elements.

Orloff maintained a dual connection to France and Israel throughout her career, contributing significantly to the sculptural landscape of both nations. Her legacy persists through the preservation of her studio in Paris and the continued inclusion of her work in major international collections of 20th-century modernism.