Kees van Dongen

Acquired by the father of the present owner in the 1950s

Good condition. Original canvas. A thin web of craquelure throughout, particularly visible in the figure's forehead and towards the middle of the right edge. Under UV light, no inpainting is apparent.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In the years immediately following the First World War, Van Dongen devoted himself largely to portraits and achieved sensational success as a painter of beautiful and fashionable women. "The richest American women, the most elegant French women, would dispute among themselves the honour of being painted by him", wrote André Warnod (Les Berceaux de la jeune peinture, Paris, 1925).

According to Denys Sutton, Van Dongen's reputation was made by these portraits of the 1920s and 30s, "his major successes were scored with his portraits of women... in which chic and charm are admirably suggested... He made no secret of the fact that he liked painting women and that he sought to 'improve' (his word) the feminine race by the images that he created. He was anxious to render the long line of a woman trained by sport, with large green eyes, long eyelashes, satin or opaque skin, white, ochre, rose or green" (Denys Sutton, Van Dongen, Tucson, 1971, pp. 48 & 50). The present work is a striking example of the artist's skill in portraying the style and beauty of one of these "elegant French women."