Kees
Van Dongen
Kees Van Dongen, a Dutch-French painter, captivated the art world with his vibrant Fauvist portraits and scenes of Parisian nightlife. If you’re seeking original Kees Van Dongen works for sale or wish to sell, request a complimentary valuation and browse our network for his most in-demand works.
Join our mailing list to be the first to hear about available Kees Van Dongen works in our network.
Biography
Kees van Dongen was born in 1877 in the Netherlands. His formative years were spent honing his craft at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Rotterdam, where his talent for portraiture and an eye for the avant-garde began to emerge. It was after moving to Paris in 1897 that van Dongen's artistic trajectory took a decisive turn. Immersing himself in the bohemian lifestyle of Montmartre, he became a fixture of the Parisian art world, rubbing shoulders with luminaries such as Pablo Picasso.
The Fauvist movement provided the perfect backdrop for van Dongen's development. His bold use of colour and expressive brushwork set his work apart, capturing the energy and spirit of the times. The infamous 1905 Salon d'Automne, where he exhibited alongside Henri Matisse and André Derain, marked the arrival of Fauvism and van Dongen’s place within it. His works from this period, such as The Woman With The Large Hat, showcased his ability to blend Fauvist tendencies with insightful portraiture.
Van Dongen’s career was marked by numerous collaborations and influences, including his association with the German Expressionist group Die Brücke. His work from this period continued to explore the realms of colour and form, while increasingly focusing on the depiction of elegant society figures and performers, subjects for which he became renowned.
A highlight of van Dongen's career was his participation in the prestigious Venice Biennale in 1924, which solidified his international reputation. His portraits of the era's socialites and celebrities were highly sought after, and his work became synonymous with the flamboyance and excess of the Roaring Twenties.
Sell Your Art
with Us
with Us
Join Our Network of Collectors. Buy, Sell and Track Demand
