The artwork under discussion is a “Self Portrait” by the artist Henri Rousseau, created in the year 1900. The medium employed is oil on canvas, and the piece measures 19 by 24 centimeters. Rousseau’s work is recognized as part of the Naïve Art movement, also known as Primitivism, characterized by a simplistic and unrefined aesthetic that defies traditional rules of perspective and proportion. This particular self-portrait is part of the collection at the Musée Picasso in Paris, France.
In the artwork, Henri Rousseau presents himself in a frontal perspective, with his face occupying the majority of the composition. The artist has rendered his features with a degree of stylization that aligns with the Naïve Art movement. He sports a prominent, well-groomed mustache and his gaze seems contemplative, directed slightly away from the viewer. The brushwork is straightforward, contributing to the artwork’s directness and candor characteristic of Rousseau’s style. The background of the portrait is plain, allowing the viewer to focus solely on the subject’s visage. The self-portrait thus provides a candid look at the artist, capturing both his physical appearance and suggesting an introspective personality.
