Why Is This Woman in the Jungle?

Artist Henri Rousseau painted The Dream in 1910, and it's imagery of a woman lounging on a sofa in the middle of a jungle was as surreal then as it is today. What is it about this artwork that captivated audiences then and now? #art #henrirousseau #thedream

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[vlogbrothers]

So interesting! I love that idea that Rousseau "paints in a language of nouns." So perfect. -John

[JoaoPessoa]

I remember when my dad and I first saw Rousseau's work the first thing we noticed was that the bananas were growing upside down. We had bananas in our backyard in Brazil and that foliage was clearly done by someone who had never been out of France.

[alarcon]

One thing I really like about Rousseau’s is the “neatness” of his designs. Everything is stylized and posed just so, in a way that inadvertently reveals that his exotic paintings are idealized and not drawn from messy nature; the way Paul Gauguin’s is. Rousseau’s is idealistic and imaginative. Gauguin’s is raw, voyeuristic, almost ogling.

[IntrepidFraidyCat]

It's a shame how the art community treated him. I wish he could have experienced some of the acclaim his works now receive before his death. Great video, thank you!

[jeff__w]

I’ve always liked Henri Rousseau’s work, especially _The Dream._ There’s something about the luxurious deep red velvet of the sofa against the vivid green forest flora that is very compelling. His paintings have the quality of illustrations for a children’s book—they’re colorful, unpretentious, direct, and, in a way, magical. Thanks for this video about his work.

[ryandinan]

Henri Rousseau is my great, great uncle on my mother's side. When the family immigrated over, they changed their last name to "Rasso" to make it easier to pronounce and spell, which is my mother's maiden name. Pretty cool video!

[FriendshipClubTV]

This is inspiring me to KEEP MAKING ART! Everyone has a point of view that is special and unlike others. With formal training Rousseau would not have created the art he is renowned for. Thank u art assignment for this great message!!!

[deelitebaby]

Absolutely one of my favorite painters. When I was a child and saw The Sleeping Gypsy, I fell in love with it. I wanted to sleep just like that, on the sand, under the moon and stars... and a lion sniffing my head. 😀 it was unforgettable. It transported me to a place I though only existed in my imagination. Now, 40 years later, I still go to the MoMA and stand in front of it for as long as I can. Thank you so much for this.

[thedavidj]

Rousseau is one of my favorite artists. His work has so much life, color, and softness in brush strokes and pure colors.

[drewliedtke]

I used a few of his painting with my elementary students to discuss spatial depth.
The kids loved his paintings.

[lorenabpv]

I had never seen these paintings before, actually. Thanks for sharing

[TheCanvasArtHistory]

I absolutely love le Douanier Rousseau and I also love how your team presented his story and this specific painting!

The script, the editing... Everything is on point! Stay inspiring!

[Beryllahawk]

Confidence in the vision and persistence to carry it out... I think that all of us could perhaps strive to develop (or to mature) such traits. To not be afraid, to not be turned aside even in the face of mockery and derision...that's incredible to me. I can't imagine that for myself as I am today. But this man "got started" at 49 years old? I'm not fifty yet, so maybe I can do better too.

[Muirghiel]

I really love videos which give a breakdown the composition of a painting, but then contextualize it in the art movements of the time, and within the life of the artist. I would binge an entire playlist of videos like these. More, please!

[ausssj]

This is why the art assignment is my favorite youtube channel. Great video!

[reggierico]

I started university as an architecture student. Its curriculum included several art classes. I really liked the creativeness of composing art. One of my professors told me I should be an art major. I was flattered. Well, eventually I dropped out and reenrolled in aeronautics at another university. In my small studio apartment, I hung two of Rousseau's works, The Jungle and The Sleeping Gypsy. They had a calming effect on the stress associated with studies and to this day, I thank Rousseau for helping me to eventually graduate..

[calvinstaropoli]

This reminds me of bands like The Shaggs who were initially made fun of because the members were all children who had almost no musical training, but later on experimental musicians praised their music because it was so honest and didn't follow the traditional "rules" of music

[czbaterka]

I was able to visit Prague national gallery when they exhibited paintings by Rousseau, and i still vividly remember his The Snake Charmer painting, it was huge but so intimate and the same time and so fresh and calm. You can really feel joy from his work. So thank u Art Assignment for refreshing up my memories.
PS: I wish team behind this channel amazing 2020 ! luv ya.

[guidodelmonaco]

“Rousseau walks on trumpet paths
Safaris to the heart of all that jazz”
The Jungle Line - Joni Mitchell

[dreamscape]

I was in an art competition a few years back, and one of the judges commented on my painting, saying it had a Rousseau feeling to it, and categorized it as naive art. I was unaware of what naive art meant, and was slightly offended, but since she mentioned an artists name I was familiar with, I thought it couldn't have been that bad. 😄 it sparked my interest on what naive art was, and why it was called that, and I had no idea that's what Rousseau's style was called. I didn't know she was actually giving me a high compliment... It led me to start studying the naive artists, and found out it's also called outsider art..now I'm happy to have been labeled as that style, and certainly even mentioned in the same company as Rousseau. I've loved this painting for it's dense, rich, dreamlike subject matter, and its round, smooth lines and shapes. If only he knew what prestigious venues his art lives in today.