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 "Pecheur (+ another; set of 2 from Passion), 1936")
Georges Rouault
Pecheur (+ another; set of 2 from Passion), 1936
Sale Date: August 1, 2014
Auction Closed
.jpg "In This Life of Traps and Tricks (+ Nous..., 1922")
Georges Rouault
In This Life of Traps and Tricks (+ Nous..., 1922
Sale Date: August 1, 2014
Auction Closed
.jpg "Yellow clown (from Cirque de L'Etoile), 1934")
Georges Rouault
Yellow clown (from Cirque de L'Etoile), 1934
Sale Date: July 26, 2014
Auction Closed
.jpg "Le Christ et Mammon (from Passion), 1936")
Georges Rouault
Qui Ne se Grime Pas, pl.8; Il Serait Si..., 1948
Sale Date: July 26, 2014
Auction Closed
.jpg "Maitres et petits maitres d'aujourd'hui..., 1926")
Georges Rouault
Maitres et petits maitres d'aujourd'hui..., 1926
Sale Date: July 5, 2014
Auction Closed
.jpg "Reincarnations du Pere Ubu (set of 22), 1932")
.jpg "Qui ne se grime pas (from Miserere), 1923")
.jpg "Amazon (from Cirque), 1930")
.jpg "A TRIO (Trio, Planche pourles fleurs du mal..., 1938")
Georges Rouault
A TRIO (Trio, Planche pourles fleurs du mal..., 1938
Sale Date: July 5, 2014
Auction Closed
Georges Rouault
Le Vieux Clown, planche de la suite Cirque..., 1930
Sale Date: June 20, 2014
Auction Closed
.jpg "Le Vieux Clown (from Cirque d'André Suarez), 1930")
Georges Rouault
Le Vieux Clown (from Cirque d'André Suarez), 1930
Sale Date: June 20, 2014
Auction Closed
Georges Rouault
Au vieux faubourg des longues peines, 1945–1946
Sale Date: June 24, 2014
Auction Closed
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