The painting “Golden Age” by Andre Derain, created around 1940, blends elements of Naïve Art or Primitivism with Neoclassicism. This piece is an allegorical oil painting on a canvas that measures approximately 274 by 479 centimeters.
In the artwork, we see a mythical or allegorical forest scene populated with human figures and animals. The humans are depicted nude, in various poses and actions that seem to evoke a sense of harmony with nature and each other. The color palette is subdued with earthy tones dominating the scene. The composition includes multiple lions, one prominently in the center with a golden mane, seemingly engaging peacefully with a human. Other animals such as dogs, or dog-like creatures, are also part of this tranquil gathering. The expression on the animals and humans are serene, maintaining a pleasant balance between the figures and their surroundings. The humans are styled in a way that seems timeless, which might be a nod to the Neoclassical influence. The figures display a simplicity and a lack of detail that are characteristic of Naïve Art or Primitivism, while the subject may be hinting at a nostalgic vision of a utopian past, suggested by the concept of a “Golden Age.” The overall effect is one of a dreamlike, Edenic tableau, suggesting a state of primeval innocence and abundance.
