Otto van Rees (1884-1957) - Stilleven met kweeperen

A beautifully abstracted oil on canvas still life, painted by the renowned Dutch avant-garde painter Otto van Rees (1884-1957). This "still life of quinces, maquette, potted plant and a group of houses" was painted by him in 1929 in Paris during the founding of the international constructivist artists' group "Cercle et Carré" (including Arp, Léger, Mondrian and Schwitters) and was still on view in 2003 in the Singer Museum in Laren at the retrospective exhibition "Otto van Rees - explorer of modernism". The painting is in completely original condition (without restoration or retouching traces). also the condition of the original 1930s frame can be qualified as good. Canvas dimensions: 50 x 60 cm. Framed dimensions: 65 x 75 cm. A similar oil by Otto van Rees (same period, similar subject) was sold in 2007 during Christie's Amsterdam — Twentieth Century Art auction (lot no. 33) for €9,000.

Otto van Rees (Freiburg im Breisgau, 20 April 1884 – Utrecht, 19 May 1957) was a Dutch painter who played an important role in the European avant-garde movement at the beginning of the 20th century. He grew up in an intellectual and socialist milieu; his father, Jacob van Rees, was a professor of histology at the University of Amsterdam and founded in 1899 the Idealistic Colony of the International Brotherhood in Blaricum. This colony served as a meeting place for freethinkers, anarchists, philosophers and artists.

At seventeen, Otto met Cathérine Dutilh, an artist with artistic training from Brussels. In 1902 they began living together in a colony hut in Blaricum. In October 1904 Van Rees moved to Paris, where he settled in the Bateau-Lavoir, a hub for artists in Montmartre. Here he came into contact with prominent figures such as Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque and Juan Gris. His wife, Adya Dutilh, joined him in December 1904.

During his stay in Paris Van Rees developed his style from neo-impressionism toward analytical cubism. He exhibited his work at renowned galleries and participated in major exhibitions, including the Sonderbund in Cologne (1912) and Der Sturm in Berlin (1913).

During World War I Van Rees stayed in Ascona, Switzerland, a haven for artists and intellectuals. Together with Hans Arp and his wife Adya he organized in November 1915 an exhibition at Galerie Tanner in Zurich, regarded as one of the first Dadaist exhibitions.

After the tragic death of their eldest daughter in a train accident in France, Van Rees returned to the Netherlands in 1934. Here he decorated various public buildings with murals and became a mentor for young artists.

Otto van Rees died on 19 May 1957 in Utrecht. His legacy includes a diverse body of work that reflects the evolution of modern art in Europe.