Findlay Galleries Presents Legacy of a Modern Master: Kees van Dongen and Jean-Pierre Cassigneul

Findlay Galleries

NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2016 Findlay Galleries is pleased to announce the exhibition Legacy of a Modern Master: van Dongen and Cassigneul.

This exciting exhibition will examine Cassigneul’s relationship to van Dongen, as well as their shared inspirations, and will revisit these artists’ long relationships with Findlay Galleries.

Due to their history exhibiting these two artists, Findlay Galleries uniquely possess the knowledge and depth to curate this exhibition.  Findlay Galleries’ first exhibition of Fauves, including van Dongen, was in 1937 in our Chicago gallery.  Since then, the gallery has had many important exhibitions that included van Dongen.

Findlay Galleries commenced exclusive representation of Cassigneul in the United States in 1968.  Over the ensuing 15 years, the gallery would host a total of 9 separate solo exhibitions in New York, Palm Beach, Paris, Beverly Hills, and Chicago.  In 1977, the gallery was credited by French art critics with elevating Cassigneul’s stature in his native France.

Jean-Pierre Cassigneul commented, “My association with Findlay Galleries goes back to the late 1960’s and I have vivid memories of the luxurious openings in Paris.  The people at Findlay Galleries impacted my career considerably, and still do, years later.  I am honored by this exhibition and thrilled to participate personally.”  Findlay Galleries’ chairman James R. Borynack commented “Monsieur Cassigneul’s modesty is eclipsed only by his talents as an artist.  It is indeed our honor to count Jean-Pierre Cassigneul as a friend and to have him participate in this important exhibition of his work.  His position alongside a modern master like van Dongen is beyond reproach.”

By drawing on important oil paintings (including some from Cassigneul’s private collection), drawings, sketches, multiples, and artist-illustrated books, Legacy of a Modern Master will explore the relationship between Cassigneul’s work and that of van Dongen, as well as explore the debt to an elusive decadent lifestyle that has served as inspiration for both of these artists.

Legacy of a Modern Master will be on view at 724 Fifth Avenue from October 6 to November 10, 2016

Jean-Pierre Cassigneul (b. 1935)
Painter, lithographer, engraver and illustrator, Jean-Pierre Cassigneul was born in Paris on July 13, 1935.  Known for his portraits, figures, nudes, florals, and tapestry designs, Cassigneul’s first private exhibition was held at the Galerie Lucy Krogh, in Paris, in 1952.  In 1954, he entered the Academie Charpentier, leaving after one year to study under Professor Jean Souverbie at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.  Cassigneul apprenticed in Chapelain-Midy’s studio before exhibiting on his own in 1958 in the Galerie des Beaux-Arts in Paris.  In 1959, Cassigneul was appointed as a member of the Salon d’Automne.  Cassigneul and Wally Findlay met for the first time in 1968, and Findlay began to represent the artist in the United States shortly after.  Cassigneul has exhibited frequently with Findlay Galleries in their many locations worldwide.  Since that time, Cassigneul continued to exhibit in numerous galleries, salons, and art fairs internationally.

Kees van Dongen (1877 – 1968)
Kees van Dongen was born January 26, 1877 in the Netherlands.  He was one of the leading Fauvists, renowned for his stylized, sensuous portraits of women.  First painting in an impressionist manner, van Dongen’s colors became more vivid and concentrated in the early 1900’s.  He participated in the famous Salon d’Automne of 1905 and his works are in important museums worldwide.  Van Dongen died in 1968.