Henri Rousseau (1844-1910) was a self-taught French artist, born in Laval, Mayenne. His work had child-like and imaginative qualities. He often painted tropical scenes, even claiming he lived in Mexico when he was younger, but later on he admitted that was untrue. Pretty weird thing to lie about. His real inspiration for jungle and exotic scenes were based on the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. He wanted his work to be taken seriously, and to be considered an academic artist. However, he was both praised and mocked for his naive style. Those who admired him were Picasso, Appolinnaire, and others of the Parisian avant garde community.
I have a lot of questions when I look at this painting: Why is there a couple dressed in carnival costumes in the middle of nowhere? Are they going somewhere or is their destination where they are right now? What even inspired Rousseau to paint this? This painting looks like a page out of a children’s storybook except without the narrative. In fact, I find that a lot of Rousseau’s work resembles picture books.
This landscape painting is serene and very cute. I like the solid shapes, it looks like you could recreate this scene out of legos. The blues in the water are my favourite, appearing light by the mill and transitioning into a deeper tone in the lake. The man fishing in the foreground is what makes the piece for me, I feel like if he wasn’t there, it wouldn’t be as peaceful.
Amidst a lush jungle, a dark figure charms a bewitched snake. I like the how the charmer is painted in the same colour as the snake, creating unity between them while also contrasting the dominant green colours. I enjoy all the detail and aspects one would eventually find if they really observed the piece. For example, the red and green parrots on the top branches.
This is a particularly fun painting of these rag doll-like men enjoying a game of football together. I like how it looks like 2 pairs of twins playing against each other. I’m rooting for team blue stripes. The detail in the abundance of leaves are spectacular. And the overalls colours are very harmonious, meaning the reflection of the orange costume with the trees and the blue costume with the sky.
At first glance, my eye immediately goes to that creepy disproportionate dog. I wonder why Rousseau chose to paint a weird dog right in the foreground. Maybe he found it comical, I know I do. Another thing I found odd was the way the bride’s veil drapes over the other woman, making the bride look like she’s floating. The strangeness of the piece gives it charm, however, I realize Rousseau wanted to be taken serious, so maybe I’m enjoying the painting for all the wrong reasons.
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