Kees VAN DONGEN (1877 - 1968) - Lot 171

Kees VAN DONGEN (1877 - 1968) Dolly with rose, 1933 Ink, ink wash and watercolor. Signed lower right. 29 x 19 cm This is the preparatory drawing for the poster of the Bal des Petits lits roses, held in 1933 at the Théâtre du Capitole, Toulouse. This event was created in 1928 to benefit the nursery and maternity ward of the city of Toulouse's commercial employees. It was inspired by the Bal des Petits lits blancs, launched in 1918 in Paris by press owner Léon Bailby to raise funds for children suffering from tuberculosis. This prestigious gala was held every year at the Opéra Garnier until the 1960s. Van Dongen, like Marie Laurencin and Jean Cocteau, was commissioned to design the ball poster and program illustrations in 1924 and 1927, and even performed a "live" number at the 1930 ball with his friend, the painter Foujita, in front of the audience.