"Le Ballerina," photomontage by Paul Joostens; image size approximately 7-1/16" x 6", paper size about 14-1/4" x 10-15/16"; signed lower left: "P. Joostens"; small "smudge" center left (possibly a bit of glue where there may have been another piece which came off); paper is slightly yellowed at the edges; otherwise appears to be in fine condition. 

SOLD (item #R027)

Paul Joostens was born in Belgium in 1886.  He was an artist and poet.  He studied at the Institute of Fine Arts in Antwerp and was influenced by James Ensor. He exhibited in 1917 in Antwerp and Brussels.  He was a founding member of the Dada movement, experimenting with collage and montage in the style of Kurt Schwitters.

  A biography of Joostens was written by Georges Marlierin in 1923. He was part of the Dada Exposition at the National Museum of Modern Art in Paris in 1966.  He won many prizes throughout his career and his work is in several museums throughout the world.  He died in Belgium in 1960. 

Many of his drawings and paintings showed up in New Orleans some years ago.  I am not certain why but there is some speculation that they were sent to a relative or friend during World War II for safe keeping.