Lot 3232 - A213 Impressionist & Modern Art - Friday, 27. June 2025, 04.30 PM
KEES VAN DONGEN
(Delfshaven 1877–1968 Monte-Carlo)
Delfshaven. 1907.
Oil on canvas.
Signed verso: Kees van Dongen.
Entitled and dated laterally on the canvas fold: Delfshaven. 07.
Entitled and dated laterally on the canvas fold: Delfshaven. 07.
53.5 × 38 cm.
Certificate:
Provenance:
- With Moderne Galerie Thannhauser, München, no. 6085 (label verso), until 1928.
- Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent.
In this work, Kees van Dongen captures the atmosphere of his birthplace, the port city of Delfshaven. Already merging with Rotterdam in his time, the town is surrounded by water and distinguished by its lively maritime traffic. "It was half village, half city," van Dongen recalls. "Behind the house was water, in front of the house was a small footpath, and then water too. The ships sailed past the window. Everything was full of light, full of color." (Translated from Guth, P., La Revue de Paris 56 1949, Vol. 1, p. 132.)
In 1907, he experienced his artistic breakthrough in Paris. Initial sales to Bernheim-Jeune the previous year paved the way for a permanent contract. A brief sojourn with his family back home then may have inspired him to return to harbor scenes. Possibly inspired by Paul Signac, who was creating Impressionist views of the Rotterdam port at the same time, van Dongen approached the subject in his highly individual Fauvist manner.
The painting captivates through its dynamic color scheme and striking contrasts that bring the scene to life. Particularly striking are the ship's tall mast and a prominent building at the center of the work—presumably the Pelgrimvaderskerk, a symbolic site from which the Pilgrim fathers set sail for America on the Speedwell in 1620.
In 1907, he experienced his artistic breakthrough in Paris. Initial sales to Bernheim-Jeune the previous year paved the way for a permanent contract. A brief sojourn with his family back home then may have inspired him to return to harbor scenes. Possibly inspired by Paul Signac, who was creating Impressionist views of the Rotterdam port at the same time, van Dongen approached the subject in his highly individual Fauvist manner.
The painting captivates through its dynamic color scheme and striking contrasts that bring the scene to life. Particularly striking are the ship's tall mast and a prominent building at the center of the work—presumably the Pelgrimvaderskerk, a symbolic site from which the Pilgrim fathers set sail for America on the Speedwell in 1620.
CHF 40 000 / 60 000 | (€ 41 240 / 61 860)
Sold for CHF 200 000 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.