Henri Rousseau’s painting, War or the Ride of Discord, was painted between 1893 and 1894. This work stands at 114cm x 195cm and is currently held in the Musee d’Orsay in Paris. Painted using oil on canvas, it depicts a female figure riding a horse through a desolate landscape. It is easy to imagine the feelings of conflict and discord that this painting evokes in its viewers.
Rousseau’s artworks often featured layered symbolism and transformed everyday events into phenomenal stories in his own way. His works were always filled with historical references and elements of fantasy, encouraging viewers to think deeply about his intentions. The painting also captures the artist’s talent for capturing the nuances of light and motion.
This piece serves as a reminder that our modern world often finds itself at odds with ancient folklore or mythology even today, just as Rousseau’s artwork conveys through its timeliness and relevance. After War Or The Ride Of Discord, Henri Rousseau went on to produce another critically acclaimed piece – The Sleeping Gypsy (1897). This painting depicts an unexpected intersection between the natural world and humanity – an apt contrast to his stark depiction of war through this work War Or The Ride Of Discord.
