Kees van Dongen

L'Espagnole

1927

The Dutch painter Kees van Dongen began his career as a poor young artist with no formal training who happened to encounter art by chance. Van Dongen’s distinctive style later earned him a place amongst the most fashionable artists of his generation. He was particularly famous in Paris during the 20s and 30s and was best known for depicting the modern woman. At the beginning of his career, van Dongen painted dancers and cabaret girls. Eventually, he moved to a studio, where he would host parties and balls and began to paint society women.

Van Dongen’s work can be found in the world’s most prestigious collections, such as the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza of Madrid, the Museum of Modern Art in New York or the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.

(Biography provided by Stern Pissarro Gallery)