"C'est une femme belle et de riche encolure ..."

Art Historical Context

Georges Rouault created this striking print, titled "C'est une femme belle et de riche encolure ...," between 1925 and 1927 as part of a larger portfolio. A leading French artist of the early twentieth century, Rouault brought a distinctive intensity to his work through bold contours and emotionally charged subjects. This piece reflects his ongoing exploration of human character and social themes during the interwar period, when printmaking allowed him to reach wider audiences with his expressive vision. The artwork employs a sophisticated combination of aquatint, roulette, and drypoint over heliogravure, techniques that produce rich tonal variations and textured surfaces. These methods highlight Rouault’s mastery of printmaking, enabling dramatic contrasts and a depth that echoes the luminous quality of stained glass—an influence from his early training. The layered process gives the image a tactile, almost sculptural presence that draws viewers into its intricate details. Housed in the National Gallery of Art’s Rosenwald Collection, this portfolio print stands as a testament to the vibrant experimentation in French graphic arts during the 1920s. It invites contemplation of both technical innovation and the timeless power of line and tone to convey human experience.

About the Artist

Georges Rouault · 1871–1958

Georges-Henri Rouault was born on May 27, 1871, in a Paris cellar during the violent "Bloody Week" of the Paris Commune, when a stray shell destroyed his family's home in the working-class Belleville district. Raised by a carpenter father who worked at the Pleyel piano factory and a grandfather who collected prints by Honoré Daumier, Rembrandt, Courbet, and Manet, Rouault showed early artistic pro...