Artwork
The Waterfall
The Waterfall is an oil painting by the Naïve art artist Henri Rousseau. It dates from 1910 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
The Waterfall is a 1910 oil painting by Henri Rousseau, a French artist associated with the Naïve art movement.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a dense jungle scene with two deer and a seated figure, conveying a sense of lush, vibrant life. The composition is crowded with foliage, emphasizing the wild and untamed aspects of nature.
Technique & Style
Rousseau's use of bold, unmodulated colors and lack of shading creates a flat, two-dimensional effect, characteristic of his Naïve style. The painting's dense foliage and vivid hues contribute to its sense of energy and vitality.
History & Provenance
The Waterfall is part of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection. Rousseau, who worked as a toll collector before dedicating himself to art, created the painting in his later years.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Henri Julien Félix Rousseau (French: ; 21 May 1844 – 2 September 1910) was a French post-Impressionist painter in the Naïve or Primitive manner.
