Georges Rouault

Georges Henri Rouault (27 May 1871 – 13 February 1958) was a French Fauvist and Expressionist painter.

Expressionist works

In 1907, Rouault commenced a series of paintings dedicated to courts, clowns and prostitutes. These paintings are interpreted as moral and social criticism. He became attracted to spiritualism and the drammatic existentialism of the philosopher Jacques Maritain, who remained a close friend for the rest of his life. After that, he dedicated himself to religious subjects. Human nature was always the focus of his interest. Rouault said: "A tree against the sky possesses the same interest, the same character, the same expression as the figure of a human."

Related Topics:
1907 - Spiritualism - Existentialism - Jacques Maritain - Religious - Human

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In 1910, Rouault had his first works exhibited in the Druet Gallery. His works were studied by German artists from Dresden, who later formed the nucleus of expressionism.

Related Topics:
1910 - German artists - Dresden

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From 1917, Rouault dedicated himself to printing. He searched for inspiration in religious subjects: first of all, in the theme of the passion of Christ. The face of Jesus and the cries of the women at the feet of the cross are symbols of the pain of the world, relieved by the belief in resurrection.

Related Topics:
1917 - Christ - Resurrection

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In 1930 he also began to exhibit in foreign countries, mainly in London, New York and Chicago.

Related Topics:
1930 - London - New York - Chicago

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He exhibited his cycle Misery in 1948.

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At the end of his life he burned 300 of his pictures (estimated to be worth today about more than half a billion francs). Rouault died in Paris in 1958.

Related Topics:
Francs - 1958

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