Georges Rouault, Le Vieil Homme Chemine (Old Man Walking), 1936

Artist: Georges Rouault (1871 - 1958)
Title:Le Vieil Homme Chemine (Old Man Walking), 1936
Medium:Original Etching and Aquatint
Image Size:12 5/8 in x 8 7/8 in (32.1 cm x 22.5 cm)
Sheet Size:17 3/8 in x 13 7/16 in (44.1 cm x 34.1 cm)
Framed Size:22 3/8 in x 18 1/8 in (56.8 cm x 46 cm)
Edition:Rare, ink-signed progressive proof in black and grey printed on watermarked “verge de Montval” heavy cream colored laid paper; it is our belief that this proof accompanied the edition of 40 black ink impressions (from the total edition of 270).
Signature:Hand-signed by Georges-Rouault (Paris, 1871- Paris, 1958) in bluish black ink in the lower right margin; signed and dated in the plate 'GR 1935' in black in the lower left of the image.
Condition:This work is in excellent condition, a rich impression with full margins.
ID #w-2944
$8,000 $4,000

Historical Description

Georges Rouault Le Vieil Homme Chemine (Old Man Walking), 1936; Designed in Rouault's signature style of bold black contour lines, this work depicts an old man striding forward with a long, large object slung over his shoulder. This man's weathered face reveals his age, yet his body appears youthful and strong. He walks forward with a healthy stride, only slightly weighed down by the object that he carries. Rouault beautifully balances the composition, placing the old man in the center and creating a lovely parallel between the diagonally slung object and the old man's striding left foot.

Created in 1936, this original color etching and aquatint was printed on watermarked "verge de Montval" cream colored laid paper. One of seventeen aquatints for André Suarès book of poems Passion. This work was printed by Roger Lacouriere, Paris and published by Ambroise Vollard. Signed in the plate with the artist's monogram, 'GR 1935' in black in the lower left side of the image and hand-signed by Georges Rouault (Paris, 1871- Paris, 1958) in bluish black ink in the lower right margin. This work is a rare, ink-signed progressive proof in black and grey; it is our belief that this proof accompanied the edition of 40 black ink impressions (from the total edition of 270).

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Georges Rouault Le Vieil Homme Chemine (Old Man Walking), 1936 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the final sale of the work).

1. Wofsy, Alan, Georges Rouault The Graphic Work, listed as cat no 344 on pg 102 with details on pg 101.

2. Chapon, François, The illustrated books by Rouault, 1992, image listed on pg 178 with details on pg. 162.

3. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:

Georges Rouault Le Vieil Homme Chemine (Old Man Walking), 1936 is framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, presented in a complimentary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.