Mannequins 1960 Lithograph by Kees van Dongen 1960

Mannequins 1960 by Kees van Dongen shows two models in short dresses with their backs to the viewer. The one on the left has a long braid of black hair and is facing away from us and the model on the right has short blond hair and is turning her head towards us . They are both wearing high heels. This print is inscribed HC /30 in pencil on the lower left side of print. Titled and dated in stone on the lower right side of print. An original color lithograph from the portfolio Regards sur Paris and published by Andre Sauret, Paris and printed by Mourlot Printer Workshop, Paris editions of 150 plus 30 HC ‘s 1962.

HC’s ( hors commerce) and AP’s ( artist proofs ) are very similar except HC’s are only available directly from the artist. An HC is given as gift to the artist for allowing the publisher to print their images. Of all the special prints the HC’s are the most valuable since they are the most rare.

Dutch-French artist Cornelis Theodorus Maria van Dongen (1877- 1968) more commonly known as Kees van Dongen, studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Rotterdam (now known as the Willem de Kooning Academy) at the age of sixteen. Early in his career he was influenced the Haque School and Symbolism and eventually Fauvism, participating in their first exhibit. His themes were mostly centered around dancers, theater and masquerades with sensuous portrayals of woman in strong colors.