Kees van Dongen is a unique master of portrait painting who captivated Parisian high society with the alluring images of his heroines

Kees van Dongen (January 26, 1877 – May 28, 1968) was a renowned Dutch painter of the 20th century and a prominent figure of Fauvism. Kees van Dongen became famous for his portrayal of captivating women, although he also created numerous landscape compositions, still lifes, and paintings in the animal genre. The master's greatest masterpieces are now preserved in museums across Europe, and his biography is closely intertwined with Paris, where he lived for almost 50 years.

Kees van Dongen. Photo portrait, 1923

Kees van Dongen was rightfully considered a skilled illustrator, and his satirical drawings were eagerly published in French magazines in the first quarter of the past century. Additionally, the artist earned a stable income from organizing paid costume balls for the Parisian bohemian society, which were highly popular among the upper class.

Kees van Dongen. Les lutteuses, 1907-1908

Biography of Kees van Dongen

Kees van Dongen (born Cornelis Theodorus Maria van Dongen) was born on January 26, 1877, in a family of modest bourgeoisie in the small port town of Delfshaven (now part of Rotterdam). The boy showed artistic abilities at an early age, but his parents did not have the means to afford his education. Therefore, at the age of 14, Cornelis found work in a shop, and two years later, he started attending evening classes at the Academy of Fine Arts. Soon, he met his future first wife, Augusta Preitinger, and the young couple fell deeply in love.

Kees van Dongen. Portrait de Kahnweiler, 1908

After mastering the basics of painting, van Dongen traveled to Paris in 1897, but returned home a few months later due to a simple lack of money. He spent two years living with his parents, earning a living by selling cityscapes, and then set off once again to conquer the French capital.

Kees van Dongen. L'Ouled Naïl, 1910

By that time, Augusta had found him a job as an illustrator in a magazine, and as soon as van Dongen arrived, the two lovers began living together. In the summer of 1901, they got married. The artist's first marriage lasted 20 years and they had two children – a boy and a girl. Unfortunately, their eldest son passed away after only a few days. However, van Dongen adored and showered his only daughter, Dolly van Dongen, with expensive gifts throughout her life.

Kees van Dongen. La Femme au Jabot, 1911

In Paris, Cornelis met many young avant-garde artists, became fascinated with Fauvism, and started painting female portraits in a distinctive Neo-Impressionist style. His paintings received high praise from critics at the Autumn Salon in 1905, and from that moment on, the master gained a reputation as a fashionable contemporary artist. It was then that he slightly altered his name and began signing all his works with the pseudonym Kees van Dongen. Additionally, the painter officially declared his affiliation with the artistic group "Die Brücke," although he had never been to Germany, where the founders of this famous group lived and worked.

Kees van Dongen. La gitane, 1911

In the summer of 1914, the artist and his family traveled to Rotterdam to visit his parents. He planned to return to France in the autumn, but in August, the First World War broke out, and van Dongen had to stay in the Netherlands until its end. Having experienced German occupation in Rotterdam, Kees was finally able to return to Paris in 1918. By that time, his family life had completely fallen apart, his relationship with his spouse cooled, and their marriage became a formality, officially ending by mutual agreement in 1921.

Kees van Dongen. Lucie and her Dance-Partner, 1911

Soon after returning to France, Kees fell in love with another woman, the socialite lioness Lea Elvin, with whom he had a decade-long romance. The four-year absence in Paris had a positive impact on the artist's popularity. The capital's audience greeted him with enthusiasm, and he was inundated with commissions to paint portraits of high society women. Van Dongen enthusiastically took on the work, marking a period of flourishing in his artistic career that lasted until the beginning of the Second World War.

Kees van Dongen. La robe rose, 1919

The master's later life passed in tranquility and prosperity. Even during the German occupation, van Dongen did not experience financial difficulties, staying away from political struggles and focusing on his beloved art. In 1953, he married for the second time to Marie-Claire Huguen, who gave birth to his son, and six years later, the painter moved from the French capital to Monaco. Having lived a long and eventful life, Kees van Dongen passed away in Monte Carlo on May 28, 1968.

Kees van Dongen. M-me Jasmy Alvin, 1920

Kees van Dongen's Most Famous Paintings

The renowned Dutch artist created hundreds of original works in various genres throughout his career. However, among the most famous paintings by Kees van Dongen are:

• Les lutteuses (1907-1908) - a group portrait of 10 women in flesh-colored sports costumes. The heroines of the painting strike captivating poses for the artist after a successful performance on the theater stage in an entertainment show.
• L'Ouled Naïl (1910) - a portrait of an Eastern dancer in traditional Arab clothing. The young woman with big blue eyes and rich neck adornments stands out in contrast against a blue backdrop.
• La gitane (1911) - the most expensive painting by the master ever sold at art auctions. At an auction in London in February 2010, this portrait of a gypsy woman was purchased by an unknown buyer for £7 million.
• Le sphinx (1920) - a portrait of a glamorous socialite of the early 20th century. The elegant and slender lady sits gracefully in an evening gown, and her face appears calm and chillingly cold to the viewer.

Kees van Dongen. Le sphinx, 1920

Kees van Dongen is rightfully considered one of the greatest Dutch portrait artists of the 20th century. His vibrant paintings depicting luxurious women from the upper French society continue to attract immense interest from buyers at art auctions.