Some things I was able to find out about Kees Van Dongen: he was born in Holland, and he once shared an atelier with Picasso. He hung out with Kiki de Monparnasse and liked to frequent “les maisons closes”. He was known as a member of the movement “Fauvism”, when I looked up fauve I saw that it means “big cats”. Can anyone explain this to me?
I like his style, it reminds me a bit of Edward Gorey. There is an exhibit currently of his work in Amsterdam, I may have to book a ticket…
I think the term Fauvism comes from Fauve (wild feline such as tigers, panthers…), as the style is very wild, instict, with very bright colors…
The term “fauve” is in fact a way to distinct the wild feline to the cats.
Thanks Virani!