Kees Maks

[3] Maks' work was included in the 1939 exhibition and sale Onze Kunst van Heden (Our Art of Today) at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

[4] While in the interbellum the avant-garde spread its influence through Europe, many artists returned to a neo-classical figuration that became known as ‘Retour a l’ordre’.

These figurative artists, including Maks and his friend Kees van Dongen, gained considerable popularity, especially in Paris.

The buoyant subjects and the frivolous way of painting, in simplified masses of bright, strong colors, impressed the public.

Together with Kees van Dongen and Jan Sluijters Maks's works were appreciated for their modern character.