Georges Rouault
(French, 1871–1958)
Biography
Georges Rouault was a French artist whose work melded Fauvism and Expressionism with its jewel-like tones and bold graphic lines. Alongside Henri Matisse, André Derain, Rouault culled from his spiritual fervor and knowledge of medieval stained glass to produce resonating portraits, landscapes, religious scenes, and still lifes. In one of his hallmark works The Old King (1916-1936), the painter poetically explores the power of symbolism and primary colors. “For me, painting is a way to forget life. It is a cry in the night, a strangled laugh,” he once reflected. Born on May 27, 1871 in Paris, France, he apprenticed with a stain glass artisan while studying at the École des Arts Décoratifs, he later studied at the École des Beaux-Arts under the famed Symbolist painter Gustave Moreau, who became an influential mentor. Between 1895 and 1898, the artist became a devout Roman Catholic as well as going through an emotional breakdown. He came out of this revitalized, moralistic and religious, Rouault displayed an interest in the flaws of society and began frequenting Parisian courts of law to find subjects to paint. Throughout the remainder of his career, much of his work was devoted to the depiction of prostitutes, clowns, and Christ. Rouault died on February 13, 1958 in Paris, France at the age of 86. Today, his works are held in the collections of the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, and the Tate Gallery in London, among others.
Most Expensive Artwork Sold at Auction
Georges Rouault Artworks
.jpg "Amer citron (from Cirque de l'etoile filante , 1935")
Georges Rouault
Amer citron (from Cirque de l'etoile filante , 1935
Sale Date: September 9, 2011
Auction Closed
.jpg "Tristes os (from Cirque de l'etoile filante..., 1934")
Georges Rouault
Tristes os (from Cirque de l'etoile filante..., 1934
Sale Date: September 9, 2011
Auction Closed
.jpg "Le Christ et mammon (from The Passion series), 1936")
Georges Rouault
Le Christ et mammon (from The Passion series), 1936
Sale Date: September 9, 2011
Auction Closed
.jpg "Chrit devant la ville (from The Passion by..., 1939")
Georges Rouault
Chrit devant la ville (from The Passion by..., 1939
Sale Date: August 7, 2011
Auction Closed
.jpg "Untitled (from Passion), 1936")
.jpg "Untitled (from Cirque d’étoile filante), 1935")
Georges Rouault
Untitled (from Cirque d’étoile filante), 1935
Sale Date: July 30, 2011
Auction Closed
.jpg "Untitled (from Le cirque), 1930")
.jpg "Homo homini lopus, pl. 37 (from Miserere), 1926")
Georges Rouault
Homo homini lopus, pl. 37 (from Miserere), 1926
Sale Date: July 28, 2011
Auction Closed
.jpg "Paysages légendaires (bk w/ 5 works), 1929")
.jpg "Pierrot noir (from Cirque series), 1935")
.jpg "Le vielle homme chemine (from Passion series), 1936")
Georges Rouault
Le vielle homme chemine (from Passion series), 1936
Sale Date: July 22, 2011
Auction Closed
.jpg "Miserere (set of 58), 1922–1927")
.jpg "Passion (set of 17), 1939")
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