Kees van Dongen, 'Marcelle Leoni' (1959)

Name: Kees van Dongen, 'Marcelle Leoni' (1959)
Brand: Lizzeny
Availability: LimitedAvailability

Color lithograph of a woman with large black eyes and a bow tie in a black frame. - view 1

1/3

Scarce (6/10)

Add to Watchlist

QUICK FACTS

Type

Museum Object

DESCRIPTION

A color lithograph on Arches paper featuring a stylized female portrait. The subject is characterized by large, expressive 'Fauve' eyes, a dark bob haircut, and a white high-collared garment with a black bowtie. The print displays smooth color transitions typical of Atelier Mourlot's high-quality lithographic process, with visible plate edges within the margin.

CULTURAL ECHOES

Where This Object Echoes

School of Paris1910-1960

Stylized, expressive portraiture emphasizing the 'soul' through the eyes.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

•Mid-century high-society portraiture served as both a social record and a symbol of bohemian status.

Meaning Through Time

1905

Fauvist style seen as 'wild' and shocking to the public.

Modern Era

Considered a classic and elegant representation of 20th-century modernism.

HISTORICAL STORY

Created in 1959 during Van Dongen's mature period, this work reflects his transition from the 'wild' Fauvism of the early 1900s to a more refined, yet still highly stylized, society portraiture. Printed by Atelier Mourlot in Paris, it captures the 'School of Paris' aesthetic that dominated the mid-century art market.

DID YOU KNOW?

Kees van Dongen was known as the 'painter of the jet set' during the Roaring Twenties, though this specific print was made later in 1959.

Atelier Mourlot, where this was printed, also produced legendary lithographs for Picasso, Matisse, and Chagall.

The subject, Marcelle Leoni, was a prominent member of the Parisian cultural elite and wife of a noted art critic.

MATERIAL & CONDITION

Surface

Matte finish on heavy wove paper (Arches), showing characteristic lithographic grain and saturated ink layers.

Weight & Feel

Not applicable (framed wall art)

Condition

Appears to be in excellent gallery condition. Housed in a contemporary dark frame with silver-toned inner lip. Paper appears bright with no obvious foxing or light-strike fading in the image area.

RARITY ANALYSIS

Scarce80-90%

CommonLegendary

Genuinely harder to find. Perhaps only dozens come to market annually. Collectors actively watch for these pieces.

Typical Characteristics

Dozens per year at market
Documented provenance valued
Active collector pursuit

ESTIMATED VALUE

$12,000 - $16,000

Updated: Jan 21, 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.

CONTEXT ANALYSIS

How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.

What Aligned

The visual style perfectly matches the 'Marcelle Leoni' (JL 30) description provided by the user.
The signature visible in the lower right margin matches known examples of Van Dongen's late-career hand.