The artwork entitled “View of Parc de Montsouris” is an oil on canvas painting by Henri Rousseau dated between 1894 and 1895. As a notable example of the Naïve Art movement, sometimes referred to as Primitivism, this landscape piece depicts a serene setting and resides in a private collection. The genre of this piece underscores Rousseau’s inclination towards portraying the natural beauty within landscapes.
In the artwork by Rousseau, one observes a lush portrayal of the Parc de Montsouris, which is a tranquil and verdant setting. A dominant feature is the careful attention to the foliage, with trees of varying species occupying the forefront and mid-ground of the painting, demonstrating a diversity in texture and form. By employing a flattened perspective and a rich palette, Rousseau captures the essence of the park in a manner that is both idyllic and illustrative.
The foreground is alive with leafy, flowering plants which are contrasted by the appearance of two tall, dark tree trunks. The mid-ground features figures of people enjoying the park, giving a sense of scale and life to the scene. Integration of the built environment is subtly achieved through the inclusion of the red-roofed buildings in the background, whose linear architecture forms a contrast against the organic shapes of the natural elements. The sky above the greenery shows glimpses of clouds in an otherwise clear expanse, contributing to the composition’s overall atmosphere of calmness and tranquility.
