May Online Antique & Art Auction
The subject work can be described as an oil on board painting attributed to Georges Rouault (French, 1871-1958) Signed Bottom Left. The composition reveals a circus dancer and baby, seen wearing a crown. The main figure fills most of the canvas, though the image crops the figure’s legs, concentrating on her head and torso. The background is nondescript, as we see an interior space dominated by gradient blue tones. The subject work is similar to a 1934 work by Rouault titled “Dors Mon Amor” or “Sleep my Love.” The work was published as a print in 1938 as part of The Shooting Star Series. The 1930s series includes a number of scenes centered around dancers or circus performers. Other works from the series also reveal circus families, sometimes with small children seen near the stage. These works are rendered in the same manner, with bold black outlines and generalized areas of color. The facial features, hands, etc. are not extremely detailed, resulting in a loose, expressive style. While the subject work is most comparable to a series of prints, we can also compare the technique used in the subject work to other oil paintings created by Rouault during the same time period. A painting from 1937, reveals two figures, also seen outlined in black with a broad application of color and minimal detail. The subject work does appear to be signed Rouault, though the signature appears faint and there is little contrast between the signature and background color. There does not appear to be a “G” for “Georges” or a date. The signature does, however, clearly attribute the work to Rouault and NOT another artist. In our opinion, the subject work appears to be an oil on canvas painting made in the manner of “Dors Mon Amor.” While the composition is similar to the 1930s print, there is not enough evidence to consider the work to be authentic based on the lack of provenance and documentation in previous auction sales. Additional research could clarify whether the work is attributed to Rouault or “after” Rouault. The size is: 13 5/8" x 10 3/4".PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL FLORIDA ESTATE!!!!!There are a series of numbers written verso as well as G Rouault.
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