The artwork “Josephine Baker” by the artist Kees van Dongen was created in 1925 and is a portrait belonging to the Fauvism art movement. Fauvism is characterized by strong colors and bold brushwork, and this particular piece exemplifies those qualities as a stylized representation of the famous entertainer Josephine Baker.
In the artwork, the subject, Josephine Baker, is depicted in a highly stylized form distinctive of Fauvist aesthetics. Dominant in the composition are the vibrant colors and exaggerated features which encapsulate the essence rather than the realistic details of the figure. The subject’s face is presented with exaggerated, almost mask-like features including large, expressive eyes and a bright, wide smile set against a background of bold and contrasting tones. The color palette consists of browns, blacks, whites, and touches of red on the cheeks, conveying a lively and dynamic presence. Below the face, a small, semi-abstract representation of a dancing figure in motion is visible, likely alluding to Baker’s iconic status as a performer.
The brushstrokes are loose and visible, typical of Fauvist works, emphasizing the emotional expression over representational accuracy. Kees van Dongen’s signature is prominently displayed in the bottom right corner, indicating his authorship of this compelling and expressive piece that both honors and richly interprets its subject through the lens of Fauvist sensibilities.
