Originally from the Netherlands, where they met, Otto van Rees (1884–1957) and Adya van Rees-Dutilh (1876–1959) moved to the Bateau-Lavoir in Montmartre in 1904. They were 20 and 28 years old respectively.

In Paris, they socialised with Georges Braque, Kees van Dongen, Piet Mondrian and Pablo Picasso, through whose influence the foundations of modernism were laid.

Through a chronological journey, the exhibition highlights the richness, modernity and evolution of their works, whilst analysing the cross-influences and fruitful artistic dialogue that fuelled their creative exploration. Their approach reveals a great formal freedom, firmly rooted within the European avant-garde movements.

We also follow the journey of this couple who loved one another, of these two artists who devoted themselves to art, and whose private lives became intertwined with, nourished and shaped their creative work – from the birth of their three children to the family tragedy that tested them. The couple shared progressive and pacifist ideals. Adya found her soulmate in Otto: he believed in equality between men and women and shared with her the hope of contributing, through their art and their lives, to the spiritual elevation of the world.

Through some 100 works from public and private collections in France, Switzerland and the Netherlands – paintings, prints, embroidery, sculptures, decorative art projects and more intimate family creations – the exhibition traces the evolution of their respective artistic careers, from Divisionism to Cubism via Cloisonnism, right through to the most accomplished forms of abstraction.

Practical information:
• Exhibition catalogue: Adya & Otto Van Rees – At the Heart of the Avant-garde, published by El viso / Musée de Montmartre
• Musée de Montmartre: 12 Rue Cortot, 75018 Paris
• Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm on weekdays and 10am to 7pm at weekends.
• Admission: Full price €16, Concessions €9–€13
• Access: Line 12 to Lamarck-Caulaincourt. Line 2 to Anvers (then the Montmartre funicular). Bus 40 to Saules-Cortot or Montcenis-Cortot

Exhibition curators: Irène Lesparre, art historian, Fondation van Rees. Alice S. Legé, PhD in art history, Head of Conservation at the Musée de Montmartre