
The Hungry Lion Throws Itself on the Antelope,
1905 Henri Rousseau, A Visionary
Dream Worlds and Jungle Fantasies.
The Hungry Lion Throws Itself on the Antelope,
1905 Henri Rousseau,
A Visionary of Dream Worlds and Jungle Fantasies
By Ana Bikic | Miami Art Reviews
Contact: miamiartreviews@gmail.com
Visit: www.miamiartreviews.com Henri Rousseau
The Hungry Lion Throws Itself on the Antelope (1905)
This work strikes a powerful contrast, intense and emotional. The vivid jungle scene, bathed in moonlight, captures a moment of violence and survival. Yet Rousseau doesn’t glorify the act; instead, he bathes the entire image in mystery and beauty. The stylized plants, glowing eyes, and silent tension speak to a symbolic world, not just a natural one. This is a painting that stays with you, an allegory, a warning, and a dream all at once.

Henri Rousseau jungle painting, The Dream by Rousseau,
The Hungry Lion painting, modern symbolism in art,
Miami art reviews blog, Ana Bikic art commentary,
Rousseau biography and art, surreal jungle landscapes.
The Dream (1910)
In The Dream, Rousseau takes us into a surreal, lush world of reclining nudes and thick jungle foliage, where music is played by hidden figures and lions rest in shadows. The painting feels both calm and charged, like a remembered dream that lingers. There is something spiritual and timeless in how he fuses humanity and nature into one mysterious, floating vision. Every detail, from the patterned leaves to the sleeping woman's pose, invites deeper reflection.

Henri Rousseau 1907
Henri Rousseau: A Brief Biography Henri Rousseau (1844–1910) was born in Laval, France. A self-taught artist, he began painting seriously in his early 40s while working as a customs officer, earning him the nickname Le Douanier Rousseau. Though mocked by critics in his early years, Rousseau's unique style eventually gained recognition from avant-garde artists like Pablo Picasso and the Surrealists, who admired his imagination and authenticity.
He became best known for his jungle scenes, despite never having traveled to a jungle himself; his inspiration came from botanical gardens, illustrated books, and his own dreams. Today, Rousseau is celebrated as a visionary who bridged the gap between naive art and modernism.
Henri Rousseau, The Dream, The Hungry Lion, Jungle Art, Magical Realism, Modern Art, Symbolic Painting, Botanical Art, French Artist, MoMA, Jungle Animals, Ana Bikic, Miami Art Reviews
Henri Rousseau jungle painting, The Dream by Rousseau, The Hungry Lion painting, modern symbolism in art, Miami art reviews blog, Ana Bikic art commentary, Rousseau biography and art, surreal jungle landscape
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