Georges Rouault (1871-1958)
Devant la Cantarice
c.1912
Watercolor and crayon on paper
Signed lower right
12 x 7.87 in / 30,5 x 20 cm
Framed: 23 x 18 in / 58,4 x 45,7 cm

Provenance:
Collection Maurice Giradin, Paris
Galerie Druet, Paris
Private Collection, Paris
By descent to current owner

Exhibited:
Mitchell-Innes & Nash, New York, May-June, 2007

Documentation:
Photograph certificate from Isabelle Rouault, Nov 26, 1964

Georges Rouault, a painter in the Fauvist style and inspiration of many early Expressionists, came to the art world via an apprenticeship in glass painting and restoration. Given the heavy, dark outlines and luminescent colors utilized by the artist, this apprenticeship was a likely inspiration for his distinctive style. Prior to dedicating his work to religious scenes in the 1910s, Rouault’s early subjects of choice were performers, prostitutes, and legal courts or gatherings. This preference allowed his depictions of exaggerated and often grotesque characterizations of the subjects to shine.

“Devant la Cantarice” embodies both Rouault’s style and preferences in subject, given the spectator and singer’s thick outlines and dramatic watercolors. Similar works such as Circus Trainer and Clown with Monkey are on display at institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum and The Museum of Modern Art.

This is an online only sale. Items may be viewed upon appointment in New York City.

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