Cornelis Bernardus (Kees) van Bohemen was born in The Hague, The Netherlands. From 1943 to 1948, he studied at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague.
In 1953, Van Bohemen moved to Paris where he lived for 5 years. Here, he met members of the recently disintegrated CoBrA-movement and shared a studio with Corneille until 1957.
His early work was abstract, especially during his collaboration with the “Nederlandse Informele Groep” and the “Zéro” group in 1959-60, which also included Schoonhoven and Armando. Around 1963, he turned his attention to figurative themes, as seen in the large canvases of female nudes he painted in 1964. His stay in the United States in 1966-67 led to notable sports themes, and his trip to Africa in the early 1970s resulted in a series of paintings with themes from the savannah and jungle.
His painting technique shares much with the abstract expressionism of the 1950s, though his work distinctly emphasizes the representation of people. Van Bohemen received numerous awards, including the prestigious Jacob Maris Prize in 1966.
During the early 1970s, he traveled extensively to the United States and Africa. Influenced by vibrant art, upon returning to Europe, he painted large, colorful canvases featuring women, athletes, and exotic motifs.
