Coming soon

Kees van Dongen. The Early Years [working title]

November, 2025 – May, 2026

Dutch artist Kees van Dongen (1877-1968) moved to Paris in 1899, attracted by the city’s prominence in artistic innovation at the turn of the century. He settled in Montmartre and incorporated many of the influences he encountered into his work. Van Dongen’s studies at the Rotterdam Art Academy included drawing and applied arts, which led him to experiment with various disciplines in Paris, such as posters, portraits, decorative drawings, and depictions of Parisian life. Primarily, Van Dongen went to Paris to establish himself as a draftsman and illustrator. While he is now often associated with Fauvism, his graphic works, especially lithographs, constitute an important part of his career. In addition to painting portraits for members of high society, Van Dongen produced numerous lithographs and contributed illustrations to magazines and books. These works were printed by printers including Jean Saudé and Mourlot-Frères, whose technical skills, alongside Van Dongen’s artistic approach, contributed to the quality of these pieces.

With “Kees van Dongen: The Early Years” [working title], the Dutch Museum of Lithography presents the first comprehensive overview of the artist’s lithographic oeuvre in the Netherlands.