THE DREAM 1910 MoMA, New York
Rousseau, Henri, known as Le Douanier Rousseau (1844-1910). French painter, the most celebrated of naïve artists.
His nickname refers to the job he held with the Paris Customs Office (1871-93), although he never actually rose to the rank of `Douanier' (Customs Officer). Before this he had served in the army, and he later claimed to have seen service in Mexico, but this story seems to be a product of his imagination. He took up painting as a hobby and accepted early retirement in 1893 so he could devote himself to art.
His character was extraordinarily ingenuous and he suffered much ridicule (although he sometimes interpreted sarcastic remarks literally and took them as praise) as well as enduring great poverty. However, his faith in his own abilities never wavered. He tried to paint in the academic manner of such traditionalist artists as Bouguereau and Gérôme, but it was the innocence and charm of his work that won him the admiration of the avant-garde: in 1908 Picasso gave a banquet, half serious half burlesque, in his honor. Rousseau is now best known for his jungle scenes, the first of which is Surprised! (Tropical Storm with a Tiger) (National Gallery, London, 1891) and the last The Dream (MOMA, New York, 1910). These two paintings are works of great imaginative power, in which he showed his extraordinary ability to retain the utter freshness of his vision even when working on a large scale and with loving attention to detail. He claimed such scenes were inspired by his experiences in Mexico, but in fact his sources were illustrated books and visits to the zoo and botanical gardens in Paris.
His other work ranges from the jaunty humor of The Football Players (Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1908) to the mesmeric, eerie beauty of The Sleeping Gypsy (MOMA, 1897). Rousseau was buried in a pauper's grave, but his greatness began to be widely acknowledged soon after his death.
Photographs by Mark Harden.
The Sleeping Gypsy
1897 (70 Kb); Oil on canvas, 129.5 x 200.7 cm (51" x 6'7"); The Museum of Modern Art, New York
Eclaireur attaqué par un tigre (Scout Attacked by a Tiger)
1904 (130 Kb); Oil on canvas, 120.5 x 162 cm (47 3/8 x 63 3/4 in); The Barnes Foundation, Merion, Pennsylvania
Femme se promenant dans une foret exotique (Woman Walking in an Exotic Forest)
1905 (180 Kb); Oil on canvas, 99.9 x 80.7 cm (39 3/8 x 31 3/4 in); The Barnes Foundation, Merion, Pennsylvania
Portrait of Joseph Brummer
1909 (160 Kb); Oil on canvas, 116 x 88.5 cm (45 5/8 x 34 3/4 in); Private collection
Combat of a Tiger and a Buffalo
1909 (220 Kb); Oil on canvas, 46 x 55 cm (18 1/8 x 21 5/8 in); Hermitage, St. Petersburg
Entire contents courtesy of WEB MUSEUM PARIS
13 comments:
they have almost a dreamlike quality. Quite beautiful. Quite a journey he takes us on.
Derek
Rousseau has the same effect on me that Kahlo does. First, he takes my breath away, and then my mind just goes into an entirely different space.
V! This is tremendous! Great artist ... you sure you not three people? Three journal entries before 8 am!?? Maybe it's the coffee? You're on a rolling high!
If he were an American painter, this would be called folk art. Very cool.
He's one of those artist, where you look at his work and then you find your mind or imagination taking off.
Monica
http://journals.aol.com/sonensmilinmon/SmilinMonsAdventures/
Monica said it best. I look at his work and a story starts forming. I love it when you do entries like this. I get a chance to learn more. Thanks.
((((Vince))))) *Barb*
I like the one up top. Miss you, Vince. Work has overtaken my life. That... and other "stuff" - but, do miss you. Hope you are well. Love and Light to you, Jenn
When I studied art in high school and college, I hated art history most. Now I soak it up like a sponge. I've always thought reading your journal is like visiting a great art museum. Thanks for keeping the teaching of art alive. :)
The art seems simple but it's complex with every angle and color placed with purposeful intent. The art "pops". I like it. I am not familiar with this artist, but he seems interesting!
I have an undergraduate art degree and I can say with all honesty that I missed the boat with my art. I went for realism all the way. Now, I shun those "realistic" paintings for the likes of Rousseau and Chagall. And our own Judi, of course. http://journals.aol.com/theresarrt7/TheresaWilliams-author/
Very interesting. I have this vague feeling of recollection when looking at his work, like I've seen it before or seen another artist's work that looks similar. His lack of scale, at least that's what appears to me, is interesting also. Thanks for sharing this. :-) ---Robbie
Oh, I've always enjoyed Rousseau too! The gorgeous colors, the childlike innocence, the brilliantly abstracted qualities...nice!
Hi V. I finally got a chance to come over and see what I've missed...a bunch. I am catching up on Lauren and love the way it's going. Takes me back to other times.... I love this entry. Gives me a chance to learn about know artists and their works which I failed to do in high school. I love the learning. Hugs, gloria
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