The artwork “Bouquet of Flowers with an Ivy Branch” is a celebrated piece by Henri Rousseau, completed in 1909. Rousseau employed oil on canvas to create this piece, which is categorized under the Naïve Art movement, specifically Primitivism. This flower painting exemplifies Rousseau’s distinctive style and is housed at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York, United States.
In the artwork, a vibrant and lively bouquet of flowers presents itself to the viewer. The arrangement, set against a muted green background, includes a variety of floral species. Among these are blooms with red, pink, white, yellow, and blue hues. Several prominent pink and red flowers, possibly peonies or roses, dominate the foreground, while assorted smaller blossoms and berries add diversity to the composition. The protruding orange and red tulip-like flowers provide sharp bursts of color. The leaves and stems weave through the bouquet, offering shades of green that contrast with the flowers.
At the base of the bouquet sits a clear glass vase, reflecting the light and providing a sense of transparency. The vase is placed on an orange table which complements the vivid colors of the flowers. An ivy branch extends across the table, drooping over the edge and introducing a dynamic element to the composition. The simplicity of the background allows the bouquet to capture the full attention of the beholder, highlighting Rousseau’s ability to celebrate natural beauty through a primitive yet profound artistic lens.
