Head of Christ (c. 1932-1938)
Georges Rouault, French, 1871-1958
Oil on Panel, 15"x20.5", Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Although Rouault was born in Paris into a poor family, his mother encouraged his love for the arts. In 1885 the 14-year-old Rouault embarked on an apprenticeship as a glass painter and restorer. This early experience as a glass painter has been suggested as a likely source of the heavy black contouring and glowing colors, likened to leaded glass, which characterize Rouault's mature painting style. The Christian faith informed his work in his search for inspiration and marks him out as perhaps the most passionate Christian artist of the 20th century: first of all, in the theme of the passion of Christ. The face of Jesus and the cries of the women at the feet of the cross are symbols of the pain of the world, which for Rouault was relieved by belief in the resurrection. This painting of the "Head of Christ" is believed to have been painted between 1932-1938.
Oil on Panel, 15"x20.5", Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Although Rouault was born in Paris into a poor family, his mother encouraged his love for the arts. In 1885 the 14-year-old Rouault embarked on an apprenticeship as a glass painter and restorer. This early experience as a glass painter has been suggested as a likely source of the heavy black contouring and glowing colors, likened to leaded glass, which characterize Rouault's mature painting style. The Christian faith informed his work in his search for inspiration and marks him out as perhaps the most passionate Christian artist of the 20th century: first of all, in the theme of the passion of Christ. The face of Jesus and the cries of the women at the feet of the cross are symbols of the pain of the world, which for Rouault was relieved by belief in the resurrection. This painting of the "Head of Christ" is believed to have been painted between 1932-1938.
Father F
Nancy Patrick Carney Acrylic on canvas 22”x 26” Father F, a kind and gentle man, blends into the stained glass as he leads the parishioners in prayer at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Sorrow and Joy
Emily Donovan Acrylic on Canvas 22” x 18” Here, Christ’s image depicts both a moment where sorrow fills his eyes as he faces humanity, combined with the joyful message that he leaves behind. |
Crown of Thorns, After Rouault
Calvin deRuyter
Pencil on paper 21.5””x 28.5” Can I capture the emotion and drama of His life and trial using the most minimal of line? Window
Susan Fryer Voigt
Ink and acrylic on panel 8”x10” Rouault apprenticed, learning to create leaded glass windows and continued to use strong black outlines in his paintings. |
The Original Judeo-Christian
Pamela Weisdorf Mixed media on canvas 13 ½” x 16 ½” Rouault’s paintings focused on serious social and religious themes using black outlines and colors of stained glass. I have used gold leaf over red to give importance to the face of Christ and thickened paint for texture in the crown of thorns. |
Compassion with Eyes Wide Open
Emmy White Watercolor with acrylic varnish finish 32”x24” I placed the Head of Christ in nature with the dominance of greens, striving for a compassionate loving mood. |
