Kees van Dongen (Delfshaven, Netherlands, 1877 – 1968, Monte Carlo, Monaco). <em>Portrait of W. S. Davenport</em>, ca. 1925. Oil on canvas, 86 11/16 x 51 9/16 in. (220.2 x 131 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William Slocum Davenport, 32.117. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 32.117_cropped_PS2.jpg)

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Kees van Dongen (Delfshaven, Netherlands, 1877 – 1968, Monte Carlo, Monaco). Portrait of W. S. Davenport, ca. 1925. Oil on canvas, 86 11/16 x 51 9/16 in. (220.2 x 131 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William Slocum Davenport, 32.117. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 32.117_cropped_PS2.jpg)

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Kees van dongen

Here, Kees van Dongen is working in the "Fauvist" style that was pioneered by Matisse and other artists working in France very early in the 20th century. He more frequently painted women.

Is there any story behind why he painted this man if he more frequently painted women?

Yes! The sitter was a dentist who developed some important reconstructive techniques to work with people who had been facially maimed in WWI.

The blues around the eyes are so unnatural!

Yes, it is unnatural and they are a striking contrast to the more realistic treatment of the setting and the rest of the figure.

Did only rich people get portraits?

Yes! Especially when the portraits were by well known artists.

Tell me everything you can about this painting and don't spare on the details!

Here, Kees van Dongen is working in the "Fauvist" style that was pioneered by Matisse and other artists working in France very early in the 20th century. Kees van Dongen gained a reputation for his sensuous, at times garish, portraits and he more frequently painted women. His expressive portraits received much appreciation and achieved success through his unique coloring.

The sitter, W. S. Davenport, was a dentist who developed some important reconstructive techniques to work with people who had been facially maimed in WWI.

Wow impressive. Thank you.

You're very welcome!

Hi! Are there any special reasons the painter added blue-green highlights to the face?

Those colors indicate the artist is channeling the Fauvist style, which he embraced earlier in his career, specifically from 1904-12. The Fauvists, led by French artist Henri Matisse, were interested in bold, bright colors that expressed emotion, even if they were not "realistic." They used loose, rough brushwork too. "Fauve" means "wild beast," and a critic at the 1905 Paris Salon d’Automne gave them that name!

Go it, thank you! By the way, I have to say this app is amazing!

This reminds me of Max Beckmann what do you think?

Excellent comparison--I definitely see that! Beckmann painted a similar self-portrait in a tuxedo in 1927 (it's at the Harvard Art Museum). Although Beckmann was an Expressionist and Kees van Dongen here was inspired by the Fauves, the facial structure and use of color is definitely reminiscent of a Beckman.

Yes, it's the facial structure and colors! Thanks for educating on the nuances.

Of course, I love that it reminded you of a Beckmann, I've never seen that before but I certainly do now.

Portrait of W. S. Davenport

Kees van Dongen

European Art

Kees van Dongen was a popular society portraitist in 1920s Paris. Here, he takes advantage of the black-and-white contrasts afforded by a tuxedo and reflections on black patent shoes. The striking blue-green highlights to the flesh tones of the face are a legacy of van Dongen’s association earlier in the century with the movement called Fauvism, characterized by the use of bold, non-naturalistic colors.

The debonair sitter for this portrait was an American dentist living in Paris. The bright red brushstroke punctuating his lapel is the badge of the Legion of Honor, awarded to him for his work in facial reconstructive surgery during World War I.

ARTIST Kees van Dongen, Delfshaven, Netherlands, 1877 – 1968, Monte Carlo, Monaco

MEDIUM Oil on canvas

Place Made: France

DATES ca. 1925

DIMENSIONS 86 11/16 x 51 9/16 in. (220.2 x 131 cm) frame: 95 × 59 × 3 1/2 in. (241.3 × 149.9 × 8.9 cm) (show scale)

SIGNATURE Signed lower right: "k/v Dongen"

COLLECTIONS European Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 32.117

CREDIT LINE Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William Slocum Davenport

PROVENANCE Before 1932, acquired from the artist by William Slocum Davenport and Mrs. Davenport of Paris, France; 1932, gift of William Slocum Davenport and Mrs. Davenport to the Brooklyn Museum.

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EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Kees van Dongen (Delfshaven, Netherlands, 1877 – 1968, Monte Carlo, Monaco). Portrait of W. S. Davenport, ca. 1925. Oil on canvas, 86 11/16 x 51 9/16 in. (220.2 x 131 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William Slocum Davenport, 32.117. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 32.117_cropped_PS2.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 32.117_cropped_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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