The Merry Jesters
1906 Philadelphia Museum of Art
About this artwork
An oil painting on canvas featuring a dense, stylized jungle scene populated by monkeys and a bird. It was acquired by the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1950.
Did you know?
Henri Rousseau was a self-taught tax collector who never actually traveled to a jungle; instead, he drew inspiration from botanical gardens, illustrated books, and taxidermied animals he saw in Paris. His unique, flat, and dreamlike style was largely mocked by contemporary critics but was later championed by modernists like Picasso, who recognized the brilliance in his non-traditional approach.
On your wall. Unlock the HD download and keep this piece in your Vault — forever.
Know the artwork. Knowing its title and artist turns a beautiful image into a story worth sharing — with a museum label:
The Merry Jesters
Henri Rousseau, 1906
