The artwork titled “Landscape with Factory” is a creation by Henri Rousseau, crafted between the years 1896 and 1906. The medium employed for this work is oil on canvas. It falls within the art movement known as Naïve Art or Primitivism, and it represents the genre of cityscape. Presently, the artwork resides in a private collection.
“Landscape with Factory” by Henri Rousseau depicts a serene industrial town with bucolic charm. The canvas is rendered with a modest yet vivid portrayal of a factory scene. In the foreground, one sees crisscrossing pathways that lead to various parts of the composition. A prominent factory chimney emits a plume of smoke, subtly suggesting industrial activity without disrupting the tranquility of the setting. The smoke lazily drifts into the clear sky, signifying the presence of industry amidst the calm of daily life.
Around this central focus, residential buildings and a church with a belfry are nestled among lush green trees. The human presence is understated, with figures appearing minuscule in comparison to their surroundings, signifying the harmonious existence between humanity and the environment. The artwork also features domestic animals, further emphasizing the theme of coexistence. Natural elements such as hills faintly rise in the background, providing a sense of depth and continuity with the landscape beyond.
The use of perspective, color, and composition within the artwork are distinctive of Rousseau’s style. His work reflects a self-taught technique, characterized by a straightforward depiction of subjects with a certain dreamlike innocence. This painting, like others from the Naïve Art movement, evokes a primitive sensibility, offering a candid interpretation of the modern landscape through an untrained yet imaginative lens.
