Georges Rouault (1871-1958)
“A tree against the sky possesses the same interest, the same character, the
same expression as the figure of a human.”
Fauvism (1901-1906)
German Expressionism
- The Fauve painters, or les Fauves
(French for “the wild beats”) were the
first group of artists to break with
Impressionism as well as with older,
traditional methods of perception.
- Post Impressionist artist’s, Gauguin,
Cezanne and Seurat, set the
foundation for Fauvism as their
experimentation with paint
application, subject matter, form, and
optical mixing influenced this group.
Based in the early twentieth-century,
these Modern artists works emphasized
painterly qualities and strong color
over the representational or realistic
values retained by Impressionism.
- Artists began to isolate themselves
from the modernized Europe, and
began to reflect this psychological
impact in their art.
- Expressionism emerged as a
reaction to humanity’s corrupted
relationship with society
- Expressionism was now meant to
depict the artist’s mental state and
not the realistic representation.
- As seen by the exaggerated
brushstrokes and bold colours
Influenced by impressionist artists,
Vincent Van Gogh, Edvard Munch,
and James Ensor.
Characteristics
Earlier work
-Dark gloomy colour pallet
-Prostitutes, clowns and figures
-Upper/middle class
-Interest In human figure
Later work
-Heavy black lines
-Religious significance
-Vibrant colours
Importance
Rouault did not precisely follow
each style of Fauvism and/or
Expression, but he adopted
certain characteristics from each
movement to combine and form
his own unique and personal style
of expressionism. His depictions of
Christ, expressed with genuine
emotion are what lead to his
importance to history.
Artistic influence and style
 1885-1890
At the age of 14, he was apprenticed to a stained-glass artist (his figures were heavily
contoured in black lines, with luminous flat colors shown in later work)
 1890 -1900
He was a student of Gustave Moreau (Fauvism teacher) who influenced his expression
through the use of colour. Thus his ever-changing colour pallet.
 1904-1930
Rouault’s style transformed. Beginning of the First World War Rouault was
surrounded by injustice, poverty, war, and prostitution. He expressed these evils through
his pieces. His work began to appear darker and more personal. It is here where certain
expressionism characteristic dominates his work.
His depiction of clowns, prostitutes, and homeless were glorified, and were more
humble. However, his illustration of the upper and middle class were depicted as fat and
grotesque, mocking their narcissistic pride

1930-1948
Rouault has a more serene and stable life. He isolates himself in his studio during the
Second World War; he concentrates on the play of lines, shapes and colours and finishes
a large number of important works. More and more his paintings reflect a dreamlike
interior world and they become more and more spiritual and sacred.

1948-1958
His last ten years is where his works are most glorified. Characterized by an explosion of
colours and a real intoxication of materials. The layers of paint are thicker in some
places. The black of the broad outline emphasizes the effects of caged Jeu
colour.
de massacre
(Slaughter)
1905
Head of Christ
1982-1986
The Old King
1937
Circus depiction
featuring clowns
and prostitutes
Blend of both
Fauvism and
Expressionism.
Bright colors and
harsh outline
Harsh outline cages
illuminating colour.
Notice how his brush
strokes add to the
passion
(expressionistic style)
Works Cited
"Georges Rouault (1871-1958)." Georges Rouault, French Expressionist Painter. N.p., n.d.
Web. 08 Oct. 2014
"The Art Story.org - Your Guide to Modern Art." Fauvism Movement, Artists and Major
Works. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2014.
"Georges Rouault (French, 1871-1958)." Georges Rouault Biography â“ Georges Rouault
on Artnet. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2014.
"Georges Rouault." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 8 Oct. 2014
<http://www.encyclopedia.com>.