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
Georges Rouault
Fille de cirque or la danseuse au..., 1910–1919
Sale Date: May 4, 2006
Auction Closed
.jpg "Clowns (Double face), 1937–1938")
.jpg "Les réincarnations du Père Ubu (6 works), 1932")
Georges Rouault
Les réincarnations du Père Ubu (6 works), 1932
Sale Date: April 7, 2006
Auction Closed
.jpg "La petite écuyère (from Cirque de l'étoile..., 1938")
Georges Rouault
La petite écuyère (from Cirque de l'étoile..., 1938
Sale Date: April 9, 2006
Auction Closed
.jpg "Passion (bk w/17 works and text by Andre Suares)")
Georges Rouault
Passion (bk w/17 works and text by Andre Suares)
Sale Date: April 28, 2006
Auction Closed
.jpg "Amer citron (+ Madame Carmencita; 2 works..., 1938")
Georges Rouault
Amer citron (+ Madame Carmencita; 2 works..., 1938
Sale Date: April 28, 2006
Auction Closed
.jpg "Cirque de l'etoile filante..., 1934")
.jpg "Cirque de l'étoile filante (bk w/17 works, title")
Georges Rouault
Cirque de l'étoile filante (bk w/17 works, title
Sale Date: April 28, 2006
Auction Closed
.jpg "Cirque (set of 8), 1930")
.jpg "Le boniment du clown (from Saltimbanques), 1926")
Georges Rouault
Le boniment du clown (from Saltimbanques), 1926
Sale Date: April 18, 2006
Auction Closed
.jpg "L'Ecuyère, pl. 2 (from Maîtres et Petits..., 1926")
Georges Rouault
L'Ecuyère, pl. 2 (from Maîtres et Petits..., 1926
Sale Date: April 18, 2006
Auction Closed
.jpg "Paysans (from The Passion), 1936")
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