The artwork “View of the Fortifications” was created by the French artist Henri Rousseau in the year 1896. This piece exemplifies the Naïve Art movement, also known as Primitivism, and belongs to the landscape genre. The painting is currently held in a private collection, indicating that it is not on public display.
The artwork depicts a serene landscape scene that is characterized by its simplified and stylized approach to form and color, reflective of the Naïve Art style. The composition features rolling hills with a clear foreground, middle ground, and background, creating an impression of depth. Trees with noticeably flat foliage and distinct outlines dominate the painting, their leaves rendered in a pattern-like manner, which is another hallmark of Rousseau’s work. The color palette consists of natural and earthy hues, with an emphasis on greens, yellows, and browns, creating a harmonious and calm atmosphere.
There are figures placed within the landscape, adding a sense of scale and human presence to the scene. These figures appear relaxed and are integrated into the environment, reinforcing the tranquil mood of the painting. The artwork is a testament to Rousseau’s unique artistic vision, as it conveys a simplistic yet captivating interpretation of a natural landscape free from the constraints of academic art traditions. Rousseau’s signature is visible in the lower right corner, verifying the authenticity of the work. The absence of sophisticated perspective techniques and the childlike rendering of trees and figures serve to highlight the artist’s self-taught background and his contribution to the Primitivism movement.
