The artwork “Village near a Factory” was created by Henri Rousseau between 1907 and 1908. It is an oil on canvas that exemplifies the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. The genre of the painting is cityscape, and currently, this particular artwork is held in a private collection.
The artwork depicts a scene where nature and industrialization intersect. A quaint village with houses painted in delicate hues of red and cream stands nestled among a dense gathering of trees. The foreboding structure of a factory with a tall chimney reaches upward, interrupting the natural skyline. In the foreground, the still waters reflect the sober palette of the sky, with boats moored at the water’s edge and a single figure seated by the riverbank, suggesting a moment of quiet contemplation. The tranquil atmosphere of the village contrasts with the presence of the factory, hinting at the encroachment of the industrial age upon pastoral life. The painting’s composition has a distinct flatness and the forms are rendered in a simplified manner, characteristic of Rousseau’s style which often aligns with the Naïve Art movement.
