Son Avocat, En Phrases Creuses - His Lawyer, With Hollow Phrases.. by Georges Rouault, 1871-1958

Georges Rouault, 1871-1958
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Son Avocat, En Phrases Creuses - His Lawyer, With Hollow Phrases..

Original etching with aquatint over heliogravure in black ink. 1922. Signed and dated 1922 in the plate. From the only edition of 450 impressions printed at the Atelier Jacquemin 1922-27. No 19 in the series: Miserere. Commissioned by Vollard, 1922. Editioned between 1922 and '27. First issued 1948 by Editions de l'Etoile Filante, Paris.
Ref: I. Rouault - Rouault Graphic Work no 70.

Extremely fine strong impression. On pale cream laid Arches paper. Generally excellent condition; some very slight signs of an old mount. With almost full margins. Plate: 21 1/8 x 16 1/8ins (536x409mm)

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The images in Rouault's series of aquatint prints for the 'Miserere' include some of the most powerful and expressive images in French graphic art of the early 20th century. Committed to his desire to show up the attitudes of government and the middle class to the plight of the underprivileged, a plight exacerbated by the effects of the First War, Rouault created works which are biting indictments of society and its attitudes.

'Son Avocat' is a brilliant example of the power of Rouault's invention and composition. The role of the lawyer, the advocate-lawyer, could be as either, as Rouault saw it, as champion or as enemy of the people. In either role the power of his oratory, the persuasiveness of his arguments, could have a decisive effect on the lives of clients or his opponents. It is the ability to influence destiny, to use his words and his gestures to shape events, which comes across so forcefully in this exceptional image.

Rouault was a highly intuitive printmaker. Once asked by Vollard (his publisher) how he worked his plates - are they etching, drypoint, aquatint or what - Rouault is said to have replied: 'I don't' know I just hack at the surface until it has the effect I want'. The 'Miserere' plates have a basis in the translation by heliogravure of brushed ink drawing onto copper plate. That plate is then worked in a wide mixture of techniques from aquatint, through drypoint and etching to roulette. The end effects are black and white images with an enormous visual power.