Kees van Dongen (Dutch, 1877-1968) - 'Marcelle Leoni', Color Lithograph, 1959
QUICK FACTS
Type
Museum Object
Categories
Era
1959
Origin
🇫🇷 France
Brand
Atelier MourlotArtist/Maker
Kees van DongenRarity
Uncommon (5/10)
Discovered
Jan 21, 2026
1 months ago
DESCRIPTION
This is a fine color lithograph of 'Marcelle Leoni', one of Kees van Dongen's most iconic subjects. The composition is classic Van Dongen: the subject confronts the viewer with enormous, kohl-rimmed eyes, a stylistic hallmark that came to define the Parisian 'garçonne' of the 1920s. Though created in 1959, late in his career, the work retains the expressive potency of his Fauvist origins through the audacious simplification of form and the melancholic blue-grey palette, punctuated by the vivid red of the lips. The handling is confident, translating his painterly style into the layered medium of lithography with masterful effect.
CULTURAL ECHOES
Where This Object Echoes
The print's expressive, non-naturalistic use of form and color directly stems from Van Dongen's central role in the Fauvist movement of the early 20th century.
The subject matter, a stylized and fashionable 'garçonne', is an iconic motif of the Art Deco period, a style Van Dongen's portraiture helped define.
The emphasis on psychological mood and the use of large, haunting eyes find parallels in the portraiture of German Expressionists like Alexej von Jawlensky.
Ritual & Ceremonial Use
- •Gallery exhibition and the collecting of Modern Master prints.
- •The use of portraiture to capture and define the zeitgeist of an era.
Meaning Through Time
As a painting, the subject symbolized the modern, liberated Parisian woman—the 'garçonne'.
As a lithograph, the image became a nostalgic reflection by an established master on an iconic moment from his past.
The work is now viewed as a classic, 'blue-chip' example of European Modernism, a staple of the fine art market.
HISTORICAL STORY
DID YOU KNOW?
Van Dongen was known as the 'painter of the Roaring Twenties,' and his portraits of women with huge, dark eyes came to define the era's fashionable 'garçonne' look.
This print was made at the legendary Mourlot Frères studio in Paris, where masters like Picasso, Matisse, and Chagall also created some of their most famous lithographs.
MATERIAL & CONDITION
Surface
The surface is characteristic of a high-quality lithograph on heavy wove paper, likely Arches as the label suggests. The ink appears to sit on the paper with a matte, velvety texture, and one can discern the successive layering of colors, particularly in the cool greys and blues of the background.
Weight & Feel
As a work on paper, the print itself is lightweight. The overall piece feels substantial due to the solid wood frame and protective glazing.
Condition
From what is visible through the glass, the print appears to be in very good to excellent condition. The colors are fresh and there is no apparent acid burn from the mat (toning) or spotting (foxing). A full condition assessment would require removing it from the frame.
RARITY ANALYSIS
Genuine antiques with fewer examples on the market. Named makers, documented provenance, or early production examples.
Typical Characteristics
- Limited production
- Named makers
- Growing collector demand
EXPERT ANALYSIS
Museum-Trained Art Historian
Confidence is high because all visual information aligns with the extensive and verifiable details provided on the gallery label, including the artist's name, title, medium, printer, and a specific catalogue raisonné number.
KEY EVIDENCE
- 1The visible pencil signature 'van Dongen' is stylistically correct for the artist.
- 2The adjacent gallery label provides the catalogue raisonné number, Juffermans JL 30, which is the definitive scholarly reference for his prints.
- 3The subject, 'Marcelle Leoni', is a well-known and highly characteristic theme in Van Dongen's work.
- 4The style is entirely consistent with Van Dongen's later work, retaining his Fauvist roots.
- 5The label identifies the printer as 'Mourlot', the premier lithography workshop in Paris at the time.
UNCERTAINTIES
- •The retail price of €14,000 listed on the label is at the highest end of the market and significantly above recent auction results, which is typical for a gallery setting.
WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY
- →Carefully examine the work out of its frame to check for markings on the verso, including the edition number (e.g., '123/500').
- →Inspect the full sheet margins for any condition issues not visible within the mat opening.
- →Use a loupe to examine the quality of the pencil signature and the characteristic texture of a stone lithograph.
ESTIMATED VALUE
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
- Market comparables from auctions & retail
- Condition, completeness & craftsmanship
- Current collector demand & trends
- Low = quick sale, high = patient seller
For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.
ABOUT PRINTS & POSTERS
Vintage prints, posters, advertising signs, and graphic art.
Browse all Prints & PostersSHARE THIS CURIOSITY
Have your own curiosities to discover?
Scan Your Curiosity
COMMENTS
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!
Sign in to leave a comment