The Hungry Lion Throws Itself on the Antelope
1905 Fondation Beyeler
About this artwork
This large-scale oil on canvas depicts a dramatic jungle scene where a lion attacks an antelope amidst lush, stylized foliage. It was famously exhibited at the Salon d'Automne in 1905, marking a pivotal moment in the artist's career.
Did you know?
Henri Rousseau, a self-taught toll collector who never actually visited a jungle, drew his vivid, exotic imagery from visits to the Jardin des Plantes in Paris and botanical illustrations. Despite the ridicule he faced from contemporary critics for his simplified style, he was deeply admired by avant-garde masters like Picasso and Gauguin, who recognized the raw, visionary power in his work.
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The Hungry Lion Throws Itself on the Antelope
Henri Rousseau, 1905
