Georges Rouault (Born May, 1871) was a French artist who was born in Paris, France. He worked as a printmaker, painter, maker of stained glass and ceramicist, who, drawing inspiration from French masters of old times, united secular and religious traditions that were sidelined since the Renaissance. He died in Paris in February, 1958. The artist’s early style was academic. However, around 1898, Rouault went through a psychological crisis, and he evolved in a direction that made him a fellow traveler of the Wild Beasts (Fauves). This happened partly under the influence of Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, and Vincent van Gogh. These artists favored the capricious use of strong color. His most effective medium was oil on paper or watercolor, with dramatic lighting, dominant blues, an expressive scribble and emphatic forms.
This happened until the beginning of World War I. His first works were exhibited in the Druet Gallery in 1910. Rouault’s works were studied by German artists from Dresden. These studies later formed the foundation of expressionism. Seven years later, the artist dedicated himself to painting. His work was informed by the Christian faith. He was working while being guided by religious tenets and in his search for inspiration, he depended much on religion. This marks him out as being among the most passionate Christian artist of the twentieth century. Most notable among his works was the theme of the passion of Christ. In this work, he portrayed the face of Jesus and those of the women that were crying at the foot of the cross.
