Camélias
Kees van Dongen
1920
- YEAR:1920
- MEDIUM:Oil on canvas
- DIMENSIONS:64.8 × 53.8 cm
Introduction
Kees van Dongen was a master who bridged both Fauvism and Expressionism. His artistic style combined the bold and vivid coloring characteristic of Fauvism with the expressive way full of spiritual tension found in German Expressionism. Van Dongen excels at depicting elegant women from high society, and he also creates a large number of floral works. Camélias continues his heavy brushstrokes that he usually use to portray women, shaping the lush form of the camellia with rich colors. The dark background contrasts sharply with the bright flowers, continuing the tradition of Dutch still life painting while imbuing it with modern emotional tension. This work reflects the artist’s personal aesthetic pursuits and it further mirrors the social atmosphere and aesthetic tendencies of early 20th-century Paris.
