Customs Henri Julien Felix Rousseau (1844-1910)
Henri Julien Felix Rousseau – Customs
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Painter: Henri Julien Felix Rousseau
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Rousseau was nicknamed an amateur for his peculiar manner of painting, although his paintings were admired by Picasso and his entourage. The reason for such unflattering reviews was the manner in which Rousseau painted his pictures. The artist perceived the world at ease. This ease did not find reciprocal understanding in the eyes of critics, for whom paintings by Rousseau were too naive. By completely abandoning the strict academic rules, the master freed both his mind and his own work. Such relaxedness is also present in the painting "Customs House.
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Description of Henri Rousseau’s painting "Customs"
Rousseau was nicknamed an amateur for his peculiar manner of painting, although his paintings were admired by Picasso and his entourage. The reason for such unflattering reviews was the manner in which Rousseau painted his pictures.
The artist perceived the world at ease. This ease did not find reciprocal understanding in the eyes of critics, for whom paintings by Rousseau were too naive. By completely abandoning the strict academic rules, the master freed both his mind and his own work.
Such relaxedness is also present in the painting "Customs House. Here the artist depicted the place of his work. After all, as we know, Rousseau worked as a customs officer, which also greatly surprised bohemians and the viewer.
The painting is characterized by the intensity of light and the clear outlines of the shapes of the depicted objects. These characteristics have become iconic in all of Rousseau’s works. The artist was very meticulous about the fine details of the picture, for which he was accused of being even more naive.
The canvas "Customs" is different from the Impressionists of the time: Rousseau chooses two main colors and uses all possible shades of them. In the picture one can feel the predominance of green and black. The natural colors give the painting a realistic feel. But by depicting an ordinary day out of a series of similar working days, Rousseau was able to achieve the effect of aloofness. It is as if everything that is happening does not concern him or the viewer. It is like looking into a parallel universe, where everything looks the same, but it is not the same.
The canvas is full of the confidence with which the artist applied his strokes, and the knowledge of the work. Rousseau knew exactly what he was portraying: a vast world where man coexists with nature as part of it.
The author’s confidence was due to his limited means, because of which he had to paint at once in oil paints without preliminary sketches in charcoal. That in turn allowed Rousseau to boldly depict what he saw, creating a new work on canvas.
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Beyond this immediate foreground, the landscape rises gently towards a distant townscape. The buildings appear somewhat indistinct, their details softened by atmospheric perspective. A prominent church spire pierces the skyline, hinting at established institutions and traditional values. Industrial elements – two tall smokestacks – are visible in the mid-ground, subtly disrupting the pastoral tranquility. These structures are not integrated into the landscape but rather stand as separate entities, suggesting a tension between nature and industry, tradition and modernity.
The color palette is muted, with earthy tones of green, brown, and grey predominating. The light appears diffused, casting long shadows and contributing to the overall somber mood. There’s an absence of vibrant hues or dramatic contrasts; instead, a pervasive sense of stillness and quietude prevails.
Subtly, the painting explores themes of boundary and surveillance. The gate serves as a physical barrier, separating the viewer from what lies beyond. The figure on the elevated platform reinforces this notion of observation and control, suggesting a power dynamic at play. The industrial elements introduce an undercurrent of unease, hinting at the encroachment of progress upon a more traditional way of life. Ultimately, the work evokes a sense of introspection, prompting consideration of the relationship between individuals, institutions, and the environment they inhabit.