Rousseau (61) Henri Julien Felix Rousseau (1844-1910)

The composition presents a dense jungle scene dominated by vibrant greens and oranges. A tiger occupies the central foreground, its posture suggesting a sudden movement or pounce. The animals eyes are wide and appear almost manic, conveying a sense of heightened alertness or aggression. Its teeth are bared in what could be interpreted as a snarl or a display of dominance.
The foliage surrounding the tiger is rendered with a meticulous attention to detail, yet lacks any attempt at naturalistic representation. The leaves and stems are depicted with broad, flat planes of color, creating a decorative effect rather than an illusion of depth. This stylistic choice contributes to a sense of artificiality, as if the scene were constructed from elements rather than observed directly.
In the upper left corner, a zebra is visible, partially obscured by the vegetation. Its presence introduces another element of exotic fauna into this imagined landscape. The placement feels somewhat arbitrary; it doesnt seem integrated within the narrative flow of the central action.
The overall effect is one of controlled chaos. While the scene appears teeming with life and potential danger, the rigid structure of the composition – the flat planes of color, the lack of perspective – imposes a sense of order upon this wildness. The artist seems less interested in portraying a realistic jungle environment than in creating a symbolic representation of untamed nature, perhaps exploring themes of primal instinct and the power of the natural world. Theres an underlying tension between the apparent spontaneity of the tiger’s action and the deliberate construction of the scene itself.