The artwork “View of the Palais du Metropolitan” by Henri Rousseau dates back to 1909 and is fashioned with oil on board. This piece aligns with the Post-Impressionist movement, a genre that often encompasses cityscapes like this one. Presently, it is held in a private collection, indicating that it is not on public display.
The artwork depicts an urban scene seemingly observed from an elevated perspective. The painting illustrates a street that leads toward an architectural structure, which is presumably the Palais du Metropolitan. The composition is characterized by a limited color palette, predominated by muted tones that give the impression of an overcast or dusk setting.
Dominant elements of the skyline and the silhouette of the building suggest it might be a focal point within the cityscape. The strokes are loosely applied, offering a sense of immediacy and spontaneity typical of the Post-Impressionist style, which often prioritized the artist’s perception and emotional response to the subject over direct realism. There are signs of human presence in the work; figures can be seen dispersed along the roadway, although they are rendered with minimal detail, thus maintaining the viewer’s focus on the overall atmosphere rather than individual characters within the scene.
