Though Rouault was close to the avant-grade French group of painters the "fauves" he actually remained on his own. His religious spirit is a result of the solidarity towards the sorrow caused by violence, social injustice and corruption.
The face of Christ appears distinctly on the shroud thanks to the black/colour contrast: the face is framed within the dark lines of his hair and beard and even his eyes and nose have a bright black border.
Simple yellow linings around his head recall the divine light of the middle ages expressed by a gold background: Christ the martyr is the winner according to the author and faith becomes an instrument of ransom for every man in Him.

"He had no form or comeliness that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him" (Isaiah 53,2)