Rating and value of works, drawings, paintings by Kees Van Dongen

If you own a work by or based on the work of the artist Kees Van Dongen and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers can advise you. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on the current market. Then, if you wish to sell your work of art, we will guide you towards the best possible means of obtaining the best possible price.

Artist's rating and value

A major artist of the 20th century, Kees Van Dongen was already widely recognized during his lifetime. On today's art market, his works are highly prized and on the rise. His oil paintings are the most sought-after items for collectors. A work signed by Van Dongen can fetch tens of millions of euros at auction. His oil on canvas Jeune arabe dating from 1910 was sold for €8,317,850 in 2009, whereas it was estimated at between €4,573,000 and €6,790,000.

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

The life of Kees van Dongen

Cornelius Theodorus Maria Van Dongen was a Dutch painter born in Rotterdam in 1877. He began his artistic training at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Rotterdam at the age of 16. During these years, he drew marine scenes and prostitutes, inspired by Rotterdam's red light district. He produced illustrations for the Dutch magazine l'Anarchie. He met his wife, nicknamed Guus, who was also studying painting. He joined her in Paris in 1899, where they married. There he met Félix Fénéon, who entrusted him with illustrations for l'Assiette au beurre.

He became friends with Maurice de Vlaminck and Henri Matisse, and exhibited with them at the 1905 Salon. He was part of the Cage aux Fauves group, which caused a scandal in Room VII. Louis Vauxcelles, an influential art critic of the time, wrote of them: "The candor of the busts surprises amidst the orgy of pure tones: Donatello chez les fauves". He was referring to the busts of Albert Marquet displayed in the middle of the room. For a time, Guus remained his muse for the canvases he exhibited at the Salon d'Automne, but then he began seeing the dressmaker Léa Jacob, and divorced her.

For a time, he was a member of the German Expressionist group Die Brücke, which exerted a certain influence on his work. Like Maurice de Vlaminck, he took part in a group trip organized by Arno Becker to free artists imprisoned in concentration camps. However, the Nazi regime banned him from exhibiting his work for 1 year from September 1944.

He continued to paint until 1968, when he died in Monte Carlo at the age of 91.   

The artist's works and style

Kees Van Dongen stood out for the provocative nature of his work and for being ahead of his time. He was an integral part of the artistic revolution of the 20th century, which he experienced in its entirety thanks to his long career. His works are still highly prized on the auction market and sought after by collectors.

Today, private collectors play a major role in preserving his material works, although some of them are exhibited in museums around the world.

His signature

Not all Kees Van Dongen's works are signed.

Although there are variations, here is a first example of its signature:

Our team will be happy to help you identify your artwork. 

Appraising your property

If you own a work by Kees Van Dongen, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling in our online form. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you to provide an estimate of the market value of your work. 

If you're thinking of selling your work, our specialists will also guide you through the various alternatives available to obtain the best possible price, taking into account market trends and the specific features of each item.