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Henri Rousseau Unpleasant Surprise Mauvaise surprise
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Henri Rousseau Unpleasant Surprise Mauvaise surprise
Henri Rousseau: Unpleasant Surprise (Mauvaise surprise), Henri Rousseau, 1901, Oil on canvas, Self-taught painter Henri Rousseau returned frequently to the theme of conflict in the natural world. His large-scale jungle paintings are rife with violent struggles between wild animals--lions, tigers, horses--set in plush, exotic landscapes. Here, a hunter rescues a nude bather from a sharp-clawed bear that seems to emerge from the rocks below. The curvy figure stands in a gesture of calm surrender, revealing dirty palms, while the man fires his gun at the beast. Rousseaus painting reads at first like a classic damsel in distress scene in the vein of Ingress Roger Freeing Angelica. And yet the closer one looks, the stranger the picture becomes, and the harder the narrative is to decipher. Why does the woman not seem particularly frightened? Why is the hunter rendered on such a small scale? Perhaps Rousseau intended this as a fantasy of primordial innocence in conflict with modern technology. Overall: 76 5/8 x 51 1/8 in. (194.6 x 129.9 cm)
Liszt Collection of nineteenth-century engravings and images to browse and enjoy
Media ID 19592689
© Artokoloro Quint Lox
1901 Beast Classic Closer Conflict Distress Emerge Fantasy Frightened Gesture Henri Rousseau Hunter Large Scale Narrative Natural World Picture Rocks Rousseau Scene Stranger Theme Tigers Damsel Decipher Harder Plush Small Scale Vein
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases Henri Rousseau's masterpiece, "Unpleasant Surprise (Mauvaise surprise)" painted in 1901. As a self-taught artist, Rousseau often explored the theme of conflict within the natural world. In this particular piece, he presents a dramatic scene set in a lush and exotic landscape. The focal point of the painting is an intense struggle between a hunter and a fearsome bear that unexpectedly emerges from the rocks below. Amidst this chaos, we see a nude bather standing with poise and surrender while revealing her soiled hands. The contrast between her calm demeanor and the imminent danger surrounding her raises intriguing questions about the narrative. Upon closer inspection, one notices peculiarities that add to the enigmatic nature of this artwork. The woman does not appear particularly frightened despite being threatened by such a formidable creature. Additionally, Rousseau intentionally renders the hunter on a small scale compared to other elements in the composition. It is possible that Rousseau intended to create an allegorical representation of primordial innocence clashing with modern technology through this fantastical scene. By juxtaposing traditional notions of vulnerability with unexpected twists, he challenges viewers to unravel his artistic intentions. Measuring at approximately 76 5/8 x 51 1/8 inches (194.6 x 129.9 cm), this print captures every intricate detail of Rousseau's thought-provoking masterpiece without compromising its visual impact or emotional depth.
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