The artwork titled “Portrait of Monsieur S” was created by artist Henri Rousseau in 1898. Rousseau utilized oil on canvas to manifest this work, which is affiliated with the Naïve Art movement, specifically known for its Primitivism aspect. The genre of the piece is categorized as a portrait and is currently housed in a private collection.
The art depicts a man set against a warm, reddish-brown backdrop that envelopes the figure. The subject is centered in a formal, upright position. This gentleman wears a black suit with a crisp white shirt and a dark, elongated tie. His posture is stiff, and his expression is solemn, conveying a serious demeanor. The facial features are rendered with a simplicity that is characteristic of Rousseau’s style, marked by a straightforward representation with minimal detail, lending itself to the Naïve art movement.
The application of color in the artwork is deliberate, with the contrast between the man’s black suit and the background accentuating his silhouette. The brushwork is uniform, contributing to the flatness of the composition. The subject’s gaze does not meet the viewer’s; instead, it seems to look slightly off to one side, which imparts a sense of introspection or distraction. The painting overall reflects Rousseau’s unique approach to portraiture, one that is not concerned with realistic representation or intricate detail but rather seeks an honest and direct depiction of the individual.
