Paul Joostens (1889–1960) was a Belgian artist whose career spanned a wide range of styles, reflecting his restless creativity and willingness to critique societal norms.

Trained at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Joostens began with Cubist paintings before becoming associated with the avant-garde movements of Dadaism and abstraction. Collaborating with figures like Paul van Ostaijen and the Jespers brothers, he created bold, experimental works, including collages made from found materials, aligning his practice with the irreverent and critical spirit of Dada​

In the mid-1920s, Joostens moved away from avant-garde circles, developing a style he called “Gothic Joostens,” which was heavily influenced by Flemish Primitives like Hans Memling. This period saw him create religious and Madonna-themed works while also joining De Pelgrim, a Catholic-inspired art collective. Yet, his artistic output remained diverse; throughout his life, Joostens explored sensual themes in drawings and experimented with Dadaist assemblages in later years. His fiery temperament and individualism led to his eventual isolation, a sentiment reflected in his darker, anthracite-coloured drawings from the 1950s​

‍