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 "Nu (Esquisse), 1910–1914")
Georges Rouault
Cirque de l'etoile filante - Frontispiece, 1935
Sale Date: June 27, 2005
Auction Closed
.jpg "Sunt lacrymae rerum (from Misereres), 1926")
.jpg "Parade (frontispiece from Cirque de L'etoile , 1934")
Georges Rouault
Parade (frontispiece from Cirque de L'etoile , 1934
Sale Date: June 9, 2005
Auction Closed
Georges Rouault
Passion: Christ aux portes de la ville, 1935
Sale Date: June 28, 2005
Auction Closed
.jpg "Saint suaire (from Miserere), 1922")
.jpg "La parade (from Cirque), 1930")
.jpg "Pierrot (from Cirque de l'etoile filante), 1935")
Georges Rouault
Pierrot (from Cirque de l'etoile filante), 1935
Sale Date: May 20, 2005
Auction Closed
.jpg "Christ prenant conge de sa mère, pl. IV..., 1936")
Georges Rouault
Christ prenant conge de sa mère, pl. IV..., 1936
Sale Date: May 20, 2005
Auction Closed
.jpg "Femme hideuse (from Reincarnations du père..., 1919")
Georges Rouault
Femme hideuse (from Reincarnations du père..., 1919
Sale Date: May 20, 2005
Auction Closed
.jpg "Jongleur (from Saltimbanques), 1926")
.jpg "Paysage à la tour (from Les fleurs du mal), 1938")
Georges Rouault
Paysage à la tour (from Les fleurs du mal), 1938
Sale Date: May 20, 2005
Auction Closed
.jpg "Il a été maltraité et opprimè et il n'a pas..., 1923")
Georges Rouault
Il a été maltraité et opprimè et il n'a pas..., 1923
Sale Date: June 8, 2005
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: June 8, 2005
Auction Closed
.jpg "Etre Dempsey ou L'acrobate, pl. 12..., 1925–1932")
Georges Rouault
Etre Dempsey ou L'acrobate, pl. 12..., 1925–1932
Sale Date: May 28, 2005
Auction Closed
.jpg "Circus (portfolio of 8), 1930")
©2024 Artnet Worldwide Corporation. All rights reserved.