Question 1

How much is an original Kees van Dongen painting worth?

Accepted Answer

The record for the artist was set in May 2010 at Christie’s London, where 'La Gitane' sold for over $13.8 million. His 1920s society portraits typically fetch between $800,000 and $2.5 million, while medium-sized lithographs from the 1950s often sell for $3,000 to $8,000 at auction.

Question 2

How can collectors verify the authenticity of a Van Dongen work?

Accepted Answer

Authentic works must be accompanied by a certificate from the Wildenstein Plattner Institute, which is currently compiling the digital catalogue raisonné. Original lithographs from the early 1900s often feature a 'Van Dongen' signature in the stone or pencil, and collectors should look for specific paper watermarks like 'Arches' or 'Rives' in later editions.

Question 3

What are the most desirable periods for Van Dongen collectors?

Accepted Answer

Van Dongen transitioned from the Dutch impressionist style to Fauvism in 1905 after exhibiting at the Salon d'Automne with Henri Matisse and André Derain. By 1908, he had joined the German expressionist movement Die Brücke, marking a critical period where his palette became dominated by electric blues and harsh reds.

Question 4

Did Van Dongen produce many prints and illustrations?

Accepted Answer

Van Dongen collaborated with several literary figures, notably providing illustrations for a 1925 edition of Anatole France’s 'La Révolte des Anges'. He also produced theater-related prints, such as his 1925 depiction of Ludmilla Pitoëff in 'Sainte Jeanne', which remains a key example of his Art Deco era graphic work.

KEES VAN DONGEN

ARTIST PROFILE

Kees van Dongen (after) - Ludmilla Pitoëff in 'Sainte Jeanne', 1925

Kees van Dongen (Dutch, 1877-1968) - 'Marcelle Leoni', Color Lithograph, 1959

The vibrant Fauvist canvases and society portraits that defined the Parisian avant-garde

La Gitane (The Gypsy) (1910-1911)

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