La Petite Banlieue Possibly 1929

This title page for Georges Rouault’s portfolio, "La Petite Banlieue," uses ink on paper, materials that are as simple as they are fundamental to artistic expression. The stark contrast between the black ink and the pale paper creates a dramatic effect. The ink, applied with a practiced hand, displays a calligraphic quality that hints at the meticulous craftsmanship involved in producing a limited edition of 100. Rouault was deeply invested in the graphic arts, a field often considered more aligned with craft than fine art. Yet he brought to it a profound emotional depth, evident in the deliberate strokes that form each letter. This piece embodies the ethos of the "Edition Limited to 100," emphasizing exclusivity and careful production. It elevates the status of the print, aligning it with a market of discerning collectors. This attention to detail and the value placed on limited production challenge traditional hierarchies within the art world, inviting us to consider the value of the artist’s hand in an age of mechanical reproduction.