This 15.5 inch x 17.125 inch lithograph was done by French artist Georges Rouault.
'Les Visages' means: 'The Faces,' as seen in the subject of the work.
The painting utilizes a monochromatic palette, predominantly black and white, which emphasizes the stark contrasts between light and shadow.
The canvas features three human faces, each occupying a distinct section of the composition. Rouault employs a distorted and exaggerated approach to facial features, and renders them with bold brushstrokes, capturing both their individuality and expression while also skillfully balancing abstraction with recognizable features.. The leftmost face within the composition, exhibits a troubled expression. The eyes are wide, with pupils dilated, suggesting fear or anxiety. The mouth is contorted, perhaps conveying pain or uncomfortableness.
Lines emphasize the cheekbones, contributing to the face’s intensity and dimensions. The central face appears stoic and mysterious. The eyes are downcast, concealing emotions and the elongated nose and high forehead create heightened expressionism. The rightmost face exudes anguish and vulnerability; the mouth is open, as if caught mid-scream. Deep furrows on the forehead and around the eyes convey emotional strain, again, highlighting specific feelings and emotions throughout the variety of subjects. The three faces symbolize the multifaceted nature of human experience. Each face represents a different emotional state—fear, mystery, and anguish.
The artwork is framed in an ornate wooden frame with intricate carvings.

Georges Henri Rouault was born on May 27, 1871, in Paris, France.
After his family’s home was destroyed during the Paris insurrection of 1871, Rouault was born in a cellar. His mother recognized his love for the arts and encouraged his creative pursuits. At the age of fourteen, Rouault embarked on an apprenticeship as a glass painter and restorer, a formative experience that would influence his artistic painting style. He attended evening classes at the School of Fine Arts and later joined the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts, where he studied under Gustave Moreau—a mentor who deeply impacted his artistic development. Rouault’s early works reveal a symbolic use of color, likely influenced by Moreau. His paintings exhibit heavy black contouring and vibrant, glowing colors reminiscent of leaded glass.
Rouault died in Paris on February 13, 1958, at the age of 86.