French expressionist and religious painter. Georges Rouault was the son of a cabinetmaker. Trained as a maker of stained-glass windows (1885-90) before studying at the School of Fine Arts in Paris where he was encouraged to develop his talent (1891-98). After his conversion to Roman Catholicism in 1895 he concentrated on Biblical themes in his paintings, etchings and lithographs. In 1905 he exhibited with the Fauves (Matisse, etc) but wasn't influenced by them. Instead he came under the broader expressionist school which dealt with intensely felt human emotions (Chaim Soutine, Edvard Munch, etc). Georges Rouault also painted scenes from the street, prostitutes, judges and tragic clowns as well as some still lifes. His style was basically melancholy, portraying the tragedy of the human condition, but with hope in Jesus.
