Kees van Dongen was born on January 1, 1877, in Delfshaven near Rotterdam. Early in his artistic endevours, he was inspired by the Impressionists and influenced by their style. Van Dongen studied at the academy of Rotterdam but did not finish his studies there.

He earned his livelihood working for the magazines “Groene” and “Rotterdam Neusblad.” His racy drawings of life around the habor were published with great scandal. In 1897, he went to Paris, where he lived in Bateau-Lavoir. There he worked as an illustrator for “Revoue Blanche” and “L’assiette au Beurre.” In 1903, van Dongen exhibited his works publicly for the first time, and later he showed with Matisse in the Vollard Gallery. The Dutch painter became associated with the group “Fauves” (wild beasts) in 1905, when he began to exhibit in Paris. He participated in the controversial Salon d’Automne exhibition.

Nonetheless, his affinity for the German Expressionists can be recognized in his works. Indicative of his work is the intense use of color, which increased the expressiveness of his paintings. In 1908, he became a member of the group of German Expressionists “Die Brücke” (the Bridge) and exhibited with them. At the end of World War I, van Dongen was discovered by the upperclass. He then painted many portraits, becoming a chronicler of the 1920’s and 1930’s. His expressive portraits, likenesses, and landscapes received much appreciation and achieved success through his unique coloring.

In 1926 he was made a Knight of the Frencg Legion of Honour, and in 1927 the Order of the Crown of Belgium in recognition of his contributions to art. In 1929, the French government awarded him citizenship and two of his works were collected that year by the Musee du Luxembourg.

Kees van Dongen died on May 28, 1968, in Monte Carlo.