Kees Van Dongen

Dutch-French, 1877-1968. Kees van Dongen was familiarised with the Dutch old-master traditions and prevailing Impressionist paintings while he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Rotterdam, in 1892. After a friend had introduced him to Paris in 1897, Dongen developed a fondness for the city inspiring him to settle in France permanently. Classified as one of the leading Fauvists, the Dutch-born French painter, was recognized for his stylized, sensuously rendered portraits for upper-class European women, that modernized the conventional genre of portraiture. Enormous eyes and red lips characterized his paintings, like in his most notable portrait of the writer, Anatole France. His work was popularized, especially during the end of World War 1, due to the aggressive, emotive brushwork and pure, unblended colours.

Looking for auctions near me? Visit Bidsquare's Auction Near Me page to discover upcoming auctions near you.