Georges ROUAULT (after) - Le Clown Musicien (1938), 1959 - Lithograph/pochoir

Stencil : The stencil is a printing technique made using a cover (in zinc for example) that prevents paint or ink from flowing. The stencil is then applied to the printed proof by etching, lithography, screen printing or phototyping. Many stencils must be traced and cut to obtain an accurate reproduction of the work.
Georges Rouault : French Painter and engraver born in Paris in 1871. At 20 years old he enters the School of Fine-Arts with Henri Matisse in Gustave Moreau's workshop. He quickly imposed his own style based on the use of vivid colors and material. In 1898, Gustave Moreau's death affects him deeply and he entirely focuses on modern art. The artist gets close to religion a few years later, an orientation felt through his painting. Yet out from the contemporary movements, he is founding member of The Salon d’Automne in 1903. Between 1920 and 1930 he met the galerist Ambroise Vollard encouraging him to enlarge his artistic activity (engraving) and for whom he creates 800 paintigs. The end of the 1930's is marked by a brightening of his palette, the creation of portraits with serener expressions and the introduction of biblical landscapes. Rouault died in 1958.