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.
A few weeks ago we saw some his work exhibited in the Lalique Museum in Doesburg, and some others in the Singer Museum Laren. When I first came across the 1920 painting Bather at Deauville, 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.
Copyright statement: image in public domain.
