Kees van Dongen

Dutch/French, 1877-1968

Kees van Dongen was a Dutch-born painter and printmaker known for his bold use of color and modern portraiture. Born in Rotterdam in 1877, he moved to Paris at the turn of the 20th century, where he became closely associated with the Fauvist movement and later with expressionist art circles. 

Van Dongen’s early work focused on urban life, cabarets, and the female figure, reflecting the social and cultural vibrancy of Paris in the 1900s. His Fauvist period, marked by vivid color and simplified form, aligned him with artists like Henri Matisse, while his expressive style carried through to later portraits of high society figures and performers. 

Over his long career, van Dongen exhibited internationally and developed a reputation for striking, unconventional portraits. His work in both painting and printmaking attracted a broad range of collectors, and he remained active in the art world until his death in Monaco in 1968. In May 2025, Doyle sold van Dongen's painting La Femme aux Lapins at auction for $350,000. The artist is continually recognized for his contributions to early modernism and remains a notable figure in the history of Fauvism and expressionism.