The artwork entitled “Alleyway in the Park of Saint Cloud” was created by the artist Henri Rousseau in 1908. It is an oil on canvas landscape painting that embodies the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. The dimensions of the artwork are 38.7 x 46.7 cm. Currently, it is housed at the Städel, which is located in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
The artwork presents a serene view of a tree-lined alley set within the Park of Saint Cloud. The verticality of the trees creates a strong sense of depth as they converge towards the vanishing point on the horizon. Each tree is depicted with a rich variety of green hues that suggest the play of light filtering through the leaves. The central path, flanked by the dense arboreal arrays, leads the observer’s eye to a soft, warm glow in the background, where the sky peeks through.
Foreground figures are scattered along the alleyway, each rendered with simplified shapes and minimal detail that evoke the unpretentious and straightforward style characteristic of Naïve Art. These figures appear to be strolling or pausing to enjoy the surroundings, contributing to the overall calm and leisurely atmosphere of the scene. The light and shadow on the pathway, along with the contrast of the natural shapes against the sky, create a harmonious composition, inviting contemplation on the beauty of a tranquil moment in nature.
