Cornelis Theodorus Maria "Kees" van Dongen (26 January 1877 – 28 May 1968) was a Dutch-French painter who was one of the leading Fauves ("Wild men" = the French equivalent of the German expressionist movement) . Van Dongen's early work was influenced by the Hague School and symbolism and it evolved gradually into a rough pointillist style. From 1905 onward – when he took part at the controversial 1905 Salon d'Automne exhibition – his style became more and more radical in its use of form and colour. Van Dongen gained a reputation for his sensuous portraits of especially women (information from Wikipedia). Based on my personal taste I would rank only van Gogh higher among Dutch painters. The above image is a self portrait from 1908.
Les Parisiennes (1907)
This is a relatively early painting after his move to Paris. It already has one of the van Dongen characteristics: women with eyes larger than life.
Woman in Black Hat (1908)
He was not truly inventive when it came to finding titles for his paintings - on the other hand, what you read is what you get. This one stands out for its elegance.
The Woman with the Green Hat (1910)
Paintings like this one make me wonder whether Japanese Manga artists have been inspired by van Dongen? We'll probably never know.
The Blue Dress (1911)
This is an almost life-size and life-like portrait of van Dongen's wife Augusta (Guus) Preitinger, painted about 10 years after their wedding. Stunning use of colours in the dress and background to offset against her palish complexion.
Woman with blue hat (1912)
One of his best known paintings. The hat is truly stunning, while the flower accessory makes a nice contrast in colour.
Le Coquelicot (1919)
This may be his best known work. He once remarked of his
popularity as a portraitist with high society women: "The essential
thing is to elongate the women and especially to make them slim. After
that it just remains to enlarge their jewels. They are ravished."
The Violin Player (1920)
A rare 'action' style portrait, but aside from that it has the van Dongen hallmarks - although the colours are more subdued than in the years before
Bather at Deauville (1920)
When I first saw this one, I would have never guessed that this is by Kees van Dongen. My wife was right at the
first try though. Anyway, it is beautiful.
Maria Ricotti in ‘The Temptress’ (1921)
This portrait
of actress Maria Ricotti is another example of his using more subdued colours in later years.
Lady with beads (1923)
Mixing the colour palette of the previous painting with the big eyes approach of earlier years - a successful combination.
Montparnasse Blues (1925)
Portraying five party goers in one painting, a rarity for van Dongen. But it captures the elegance
of that decade very well.
Josephine Baker (1925)
Ending this set with a somewhat atypical portrait. Not only is this probably the only portrait of a woman who is even a century later still famous, the style itself is shockingly different - although the eyes are a bit of a give away.
Copyright statement: images all in public domain.
