Georges Rouault

París, 1871

Georges Henri Rouault (27 May 1871 – 13 February 1958) was a French painter, draughtsman, and printer, whose work is often associated with Fauvism and Expressionism.

In 1885, Rouault embarked on an apprenticeship as a glass painter and restorer, which lasted until 1890. This early experience as a glass painter has been suggested as a likely source of the heavy black contouring and glowing colours, likened to leaded glass, which characterize Rouault’s mature painting style. During his apprenticeship, he also attended evening classes at the School of Fine Arts, and in 1891, he entered the École des Beaux-Arts, the official art school of France. There he studied under Gustave Moreau and became his favorite student. Rouault’s earliest works show a symbolism in the use of color that probably reflects Moreau’s influence.

Georges Rouault also met Henri Matisse, Albert Marquet, Henri Manguin, and Charles Camoin. These friendships brought him to the movement of Fauvism.

From 1895 on, he took part in major public exhibitions, notably the Salon d’Automne, where paintings with religious subjects, landscapes and still lifes were shown. In 1905 he exhibited...