The artwork “Scout Attacked by a Tiger” is an oil on canvas painting created in 1904 by the artist Henri Rousseau. Measuring 162 x 120.5 cm, it is a fine example of the Naïve Art movement, specifically Primitivism, and falls within the wildlife painting genre. This piece is housed at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, PA, USA.
The painting depicts a dramatic nocturnal scene set in a lush, dense jungle under the light of a full moon. A tiger is in the midst of pouncing on a seemingly defenseless white-robed figure laying on the ground. To the left, another figure wearing dark clothing and a hat appears to be rushing towards the scene, with one arm extended toward the tiger and the other holding a spear at the ready. Both humans and the tiger are enveloped by the exaggerated, oversized greenery—a characteristic style feature of Rousseau’s work, portraying a vibrant, yet menacing natural world with stylized plant forms.
The artwork conveys a sense of imminent danger and raw emotion through the use of vibrant colors and bold composition, contrasting the calmness of the night sky with the violence of the predatory attack. Rousseau’s self-taught technique and unique portrayal of perspective lend the painting an intense dreamlike quality that captivates the viewer’s imagination and brings the wild scene to life.
