against the sky possesses the same interest, the same character, the same expression as the figure of a human." In 1910, Rouault had his first works exhibited in the Druet Gallery. His works were studied by German artists from Dresden, who later formed the nucleus of expressionism. From 1917, Rouault dedicated himself to painting. 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 resurrection. In 1929, Rouault created the designs for Sergei Diaghilev's ballet The Prodigal Son, with music by Sergei Prokofiev and choreography by George Balanchine. In 1930, he also began to exhibit in foreign countries, mainly in London, New York and Chicago. In 1937. Rouault painted The Old King, which is arguably his finest expressionist work. He exhibited his cycle Miserere in 1948. At the end of his life he burned 300 of his pictures (estimated to be worth today about more than half a billion francs). His reason for doing this was not profound, as he simply felt he would not live to finish them. Rouault died in Paris on February 13, 1958 at the age of 86. Notes References Dyrness, William A. Rouault: A Vision of Suffering and Salvation. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, 1971. Maritain, Jacques. Georges Rouault. The Pocket Library of Great Art. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. 1954. Getlein, Frank and Dorothy Getlein. George Rouault's Miserere. Milwaukee: Bruce, 1964. San Lazzaro, G. di. Homage to George Rouault. New York: Tudor, 1971. Courthion, Pierre. Rouault. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. 1961. Kochno, Boris. Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes. New York: Harper & Row. 1979. External links Georges Rouault Foundation Georges Rouault Online at Artcyclopedia.com Images hosted by Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Information on Rouault and the German Expressionist movement Works by Georges Rouault 1871 births 1958 deaths Painters from Paris French Expressionist painters Fauvism French Roman Catholics 19th-century French painters French male painters 20th-century French painters 20th-century French male artists Ballet designers Georges Rouault Burials at the Cemetery of Saint-Louis, Versailles 20th-century French printmakers 19th-century French male artists