The artwork titled “The Artist Painting his Wife” was created by Henri Rousseau sometime between 1900 and 1905, engaging the medium of oil on canvas. This work exemplifies the Naïve Art movement, specifically Primitivism, and is considered a genre painting. The dimensions of the artwork are 65 by 56.5 centimeters. Currently, it resides within a private collection.
In this artwork, Henri Rousseau depicts a tranquil outdoor scene where a man, presumably an artist, is seated and facing a woman who is serving as his subject. The woman, identified as the artist’s wife, is dressed in elegant attire, complete with a hat, and is sitting on a chair outdoors. They are situated in a leafy environment with rows of taller trees in the background. Tall, slender trees with yellowish-green foliage line the setting, and the artist has painted them with a characteristic flatness and decorative quality typical for Rousseau’s style. The sky is rendered in a soft, pastel-like blue, and the grassy area is a vibrant green. The figures are portrayed in a simplistic manner, devoid of the sophistications of anatomical accuracy, yet brimming with a straightforward charm. The artwork radiates a sense of peacefulness and a contemplative mood, inviting viewers to appreciate the sincere and unpretentious approach Rousseau took in his artistic endeavors.
