Henri Rousseau, Tropical landscape, American Indian fighting a gorilla, 1910 by Atelier Liesjes

About "Henri Rousseau, Tropical landscape, American Indian fighting a gorilla, 1910"

by Atelier Liesjes

About the artwork

"Tropical landscape, American Indian fighting a gorilla" by Henri Rousseau, from 1910, shows a dense, tropical jungle scene. In the foreground, we see large, broad-leaved plants and various types of lush greenery. In the centre are several orange flowers that stand out against the dark green of the foliage. In the background, a red sun can be seen rising or setting, partially hidden behind the leaves of the trees.

The centre of the painting depicts an American Indian, dressed in traditional clothing with a feathered headdress, fighting a gorilla. The Indian appears to be holding a spear, while the gorilla is facing him, seemingly in a defensive or aggressive posture. The scene is set against a background of intricate and overlapping vegetation, creating a sense of depth and complexity in the jungle environment.

This painting is interesting and relevant because it shows Rousseau's unique style, characterised by vibrant colours, detailed vegetation and imaginative scenes. The juxtaposition of the human figure and the wild animal in a dramatic confrontation adds a narrative element to the artwork, making it a fascinating piece to analyse and appreciate.

Henri Julien Félix Rousseau (Laval, France, 21 May 1844 - Paris, 2 September 1910) was a French painter. He was nicknamed "Le Douanier" because he worked in customs. His work went unnoticed for a long time, but once discovered, it was applauded for its artistic quality. The artist's work was appreciated for its innocent naive and primitive qualities. The artist's art was counted among the avant-garde and post-impressionism.