Le Coquelicot © Kees Van Dongen 1960
Kees Van Dongen
15 works
Key Takeaways
Kees Van Dongen's prints, embodying his bold Fauvist style, maintain strong appeal in the art market. Individual works typically fetch between £2,000 and £10,000, with collections achieving up to £20,000. His most sought-after lithographs, particularly those featuring fashionable Parisian women, command premium prices. The record for a single Van Dongen print stands at £13,681, achieved by Le Collier De Perles (1924) in 2014. Rare hand-embellished prints and those from smaller editions often garner increased collector interest and higher prices. Value is also determined by condition assessment and authentication, with reference to the catalogue raisonné compiled by the Wildenstein Plattner Institute. Strategic timing of sales, such as during major retrospectives or renewed interest in Fauvism, can optimise returns for sellers.
Kees Van Dongen, a Dutch-French artist associated with Fauvism, is renowned for his vibrant, expressive portraits and scenes of Parisian nightlife. His prints capture the same bold use of colour and energetic style that characterise his paintings, offering collectors a more accessible entry point. This guide aims to provide sellers with valuable insights into the market for Van Dongen's prints, covering aspects of valuation, authentication, and effective selling strategies.
Van Dongen's artistic journey took him from his native Rotterdam to the heart of Paris' avant-garde scene in the early 20th century. His printmaking practice, which included lithographs and etchings, allowed him to explore and disseminate his unique style to a broader audience. Van Dongen's prints often feature the same subjects as his paintings: glamorous women, circus performers, and busy character-driven scenes. His bold use of colour and expressive linework translate well to the print medium, preserving the energy and immediacy of his painted works.
How Much Do Kees Van Dongen Prints Sell For?
Van Dongen’s work has a timeless quality that ensures it retains its value and remains popular with collectors of modern art. Individual prints by Van Dongen typically fetch between £2,000 and £10,000, with collections of prints achieving closer to £20,000.
Van Dongen's lithographs from the 1920s and 1930s, particularly those featuring portraits of fashionable Parisian women, are the most highly prized by collectors. For example, his print Le Collier De Perles (1924), a quintessential representation of his style, appears frequently at auction and always performs well. In 2014, a print from this edition sold for £13,681, three times its high estimate; and in 2015, a print sold for £11,000, almost double its high estimate, proving that Van Dongen’s work continues to exceed expectations. The 2014 sale is currently the record price achieved by a single Van Dongen print.
Collections of Van Dongen’s stylish international women are the most sought-after examples of his printed works. Six lithographs, including Parisienne (1927) and Maud (1927), all from editions of 120, sold in 2021 for £18,846. 10 years earlier, a similar set of five Femmes (1927) from a much smaller edition size of only 20, sold for £15,781, proving the general appreciation of even Van Dongen’s larger editions.
Van Dongen was known for embellishing some of his lithographs with hand-painted watercolours, giving collectors the opportunity to own a piece that is both a print and an original. Femme Au Chapeau (1920/30), which exists in an edition of only five, is a popular example of this - it sold for over £10,000 in 2020. Prints with embellishments and short editions such as this are expected to garner more collector interest, which will drive up prices during the sale process.
Van Dongen also produced portfolios of illustrations designed to be bound and kept together. Deauville (1927) is a popular example, reflecting the artist’s love for the French seaside resort. Printed using copper plates rather than Van Dongen’s usually preferred lithographic plates, this portfolio is a dreamy sequence of blue and green watercolour scenes. A complete set sold in 2011 for £13,006.
One of the most popular Van Dongen prints, however, is the iconic and instantly recognisable Le Coquelicot (1960). The popularity of this piece is somewhat unusual due to its recency, but its rich shades of red, the exaggeratedly feminine features of the subject, and its sense of mystery and allure mean that it continually appeals to collectors. Most recently, an artist proof of Le Coquelicot sold for £13,185 in 2022. Just two years earlier, a standard edition print sold for £11,853, proving that while artist proofs are generally more valuable, standard editions of Van Dongen’s work are too highly sought-after for the price difference to be significant.
Understanding the relative ebb and flow of Van Dongen’s work, both as a whole and as individual prints, is crucial to securing a fair sale price. Speaking to an expert in the artist’s work will help you establish an accurate estimate for your particular print and edition.
How Do You Authenticate a Kees Van Dongen Print?
There are several things needed for the authentication of your Van Dongen print: provenance documentation, the catalogue raisonné of Van Dongen’s work, confirmation of any printing marks and signatures, and technical analysis from an expert.
Provenance documentation often consists of a certificate of authenticity from the printing or publishing house that produced the print, gallery or auction house receipts from past sales, and exhibition history and catalogues if the piece has ever been on display. A professional appraiser would also compare the print against the definitive catalogue raisonné for Van Dongen’s work, which is being compiled by the Wildenstein Plattner Institute. This resource contains valuable information about the artist’s output, including technical details, edition sizes, any variations within editions, and photographs of signatures.
You should also verify the types of papers and ink used, where possible. Van Dongen used high-quality papers for all of his prints, including handmade wove papers that may not have markings. However, he often used Rives paper, which bears a watermark that is easy to identify. The paper may also bear evidence left by the printing studio or publishing house that produced the print. This may be as small as a stamp or chop marks, or it could be as significant as the type of paper and a difference in ink colours.
Edition & Signature
Kees Van Dongen's approach to signing and numbering his prints was fairly consistent throughout his career. He often signed in pencil on the lower right of the print. His signature typically appears as "van Dongen" in cursive or sometimes just "Dongen".
Edition numbers are usually found on the lower left, written as a fraction (e.g., 15/100). Van Dongen's print editions varied in size, with some limited to as few as 35 copies, while others reached 200 or more. Artist's proofs, often marked “E.A.” (épreuve d'artiste), are highly sought after by collectors.
It's worth noting that some of Van Dongen's prints, particularly those produced for book illustrations, may not be individually signed or numbered. In these cases, the presence of publisher's information and the print's inclusion in a documented series become particularly important for authentication.
Browse Kees Van Dongen prints on the Trading Floor and find out more about the print market growth on the MAB100 Print Index.
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Has Your Kees Van Dongen Print Been Kept in Good Condition?
Prints that have been kept in good condition are more likely to perform well when it comes to sell. Any damage, stains, or fading is likely to reduce the estimated price and potentially deter collectors. When assessing your Van Dongen print, start by examining the paper for any signs of damage or ageing. Look for discolouration, foxing (brown spots caused by oxidation), or acid burn, particularly around the edges.
Colour retention is particularly important for Van Dongen's prints, given his association with Fauvism and its emphasis on vivid, non-naturalistic colours. His lithographs, in particular, are renowned for their bold, saturated hues, so any fading or colour shift can be especially detrimental. This is a significant risk for prints that have been exposed to direct sunlight or harsh artificial light over extended periods.
Check for any surface imperfections such as creases, tears, or indentations, paying special attention to the margins of the print, as these areas are often prone to damage. Untrimmed margins can be a sign of a well-preserved print and can enhance its value.
Van Dongen's printmaking techniques, particularly his lithographs, involved layering colours to achieve complex, vibrant effects. Any damage or peel-away between these delicate layers can significantly impact the print's aesthetic quality and value. Look closely for any scratches or abrasions that might disrupt the surface of the ink.
Proper storage and display are essential for maintaining a Van Dongen print in good condition. Ideally, prints should be kept in acid-free portfolios, away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity. If framed, UV-protective glass and acid-free matting are recommended to prevent light damage and acid migration.
For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Kees Van Dongen print, contact MyArtBroker.
When is the Best Time to Sell My Kees Van Dongen Print?
When timing the sale of your Van Dongen print, consider the overall market and economy, as well as factors specific to the artist. Any uptick in Van Dongen’s cultural significance, be it in mainstream media or the art world, will likely boost collector interest. The market itself can be cyclical, with periods of heightened interest in certain movements or artists. For Van Dongen, his association with Fauvism and his unique portrayal of Parisian life often influence market trends.
Major exhibitions or retrospectives of Van Dongen's work are important to look out for. For example, the comprehensive retrospective at the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco in 2008-2009 sparked renewed international attention on Van Dongen's work. Equally, look out for exhibitions in new locations - the Van Dongen: A Fauve in the City exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts was the first Van Dongen exhibition in North America, opening his work up to a new potential audience.
Anniversary years related to significant moments in Van Dongen's career can also create opportune selling moments. For instance, 2027 will mark the 50th anniversary of Van Dongen's death, an event likely to prompt increased scholarly and public interest, potentially influencing the market.
One of the easiest ways to stay ahead of art market trends is by monitoring sales results and value trajectory reports on the websites of esteemed auction houses such as Christie’s and Sotheby’s. If there is a surge of interest in Van Dongen or Fauvism, it’s likely to show up here first.
MyArtBroker offers advanced art tech tools to help you determine the optimal time to sell. Our MyPortfolio service features an AI-powered value indicator that provides real-time valuations of individual prints based on both public and private sales data. Combined with our complimentary valuations, we can help ensure your print achieves maximum value by selling at the perfect moment.
Ways to Sell with MyArtBroker
At MyArtBroker, our specialists provide a free market valuation for your artwork, offering a level of transparency unmatched in today’s market. In addition to our valuations, through our online Trading Floor, you can access real-time insights into works by the artist you’re looking to sell, including pieces that are most in demand, wanted, or currently for sale: allowing sellers to trust the valuation that they are provided.
Additionally, the MyPortfolio collection management service grants you free access to our comprehensive print market database. This resource allows you to review auction histories for the specific work you’re looking to sell, including hammer prices, values paid, and seller returns. In a fluctuating market, this historical data is invaluable - and often comes at a cost elsewhere - offering insights into past and current values to further inform decisions based on market timing and conditions. In addition to our specialists guidance, you have concrete data.
Our approach is tailored to align with the unique attributes of each artwork, and offer optimal results:
How a Private Sale Works
Unlike peer-to-peer platforms, which lack specialised expertise, authenticity guarantees, and legal infrastructure for high-value sales, MyArtBroker operates through private sales ensuring a secure and seamless transaction process. We charge sellers 0% to sell, and take a small commission from our buyers, absorbing essential aspects including insurance, shipping, and marketing - at no extra cost to the seller. There is no magic to it, we’re a lean specialised business with less overheads than traditional models meaning we can do better for our clients.
Our revenue is derived from buyer commissions only, which are individually negotiated upon offer, and we aim to give the client the best return in the market place. By focusing on high-value artworks in excess of £10,000, we provide specialised care and expertise, ensuring each piece receives the attention it deserves, while simultaneously maximising returns with our clients. For works that fall below this threshold speak to the team about a recommendation, we offer market advisory free of charge. Our goal at MyArtBroker is to offer a seamless solution, setting us apart in the art market.
Advisory and Recommendations
In cases for artists and artworks, where our existing network of collectors isn’t the best fit due to value, medium or condition we collaborate with reputable partners to facilitate its sale. Carefully tailoring your artwork to the right party. This tailored approach is especially important as it considers the unique attributes of each artwork, providing sellers with the best possible outcome in today’s shifting art market. You can discuss this approach with us without charge as part of our advisory service.
Such recommendations are on a case-by-case basis, and ensures broader exposure and takes advantage of our knowledge of where a work will do best.
Kees Van Dongen Collection Management with MyPortfolio
In addition to our live trading floor, MyArtBroker's MyPortfolio serves as a collection management system, empowering collectors to curate and oversee their prints and editions collection. This feature grants users access to our print market database, uniquely tied to our proprietary algorithm, SingularityX. This algorithm scans and analyses both public auction and private sales data to determine real time valuations of individual print works, factoring in various aspects such as condition, colour, and other factors affecting value.
Read What Powers MyArtBroker's Technology? In Conversation With Stuart Jamieson, Financial Quant to learn more about our algorithm.
