Rouault, Georges

(1871-1958)

   painter, engraver

   Known for his somber portraits and sorrowful, spiritual images, Georges Rouault, considered perhaps the greatest religious painter of the 20th century, was born in Paris. introduced to paintings by his grandfather, who was an admirer of gustave courbet, edouard manet, and honoré daumier, in 1885 Rouault was apprenticed to a master stained-glass maker. He then studied with various artists who recognized his talent. His early work shows the influence of henri de toulouse-lautrec, while later pieces reflect that of the fauvists, with whom he exhibited. He differed, however, from the fau-vists in technique and theme, being deeply inspired by Christianity (L'Ivrognesse, 1905; L'Entremetteuse, 1906, Les Juges, 1908, Faubourg des langues pienes, 1911). Rouault later produced a series of Pierrots (1937-38), but at the same time a large number of religious themes were also painted (La Sainte Face, 1933; Le Vieux Roi, 1937; Nocturne chrétien), often reminiscent of medieval icons and mosaics. A remarkable engraver, Rouault produced a monumental Miserere (1917), a Passion (1939), and the illustration for amboise vollard's Réincarnations du père Ubu. Rouault also designed theater sets and stained-glass windows (church at Assy), and worked in ceramics and tapestries.