Podcast
Questions and Answers
What aspect of Henri Rousseau's 'Surprised!' (Tiger in a Tropical Storm) contributed significantly to the mixed reception it initially received?
What aspect of Henri Rousseau's 'Surprised!' (Tiger in a Tropical Storm) contributed significantly to the mixed reception it initially received?
- Its hyperrealistic depiction of a tiger, challenging classical art.
- Its overt political messaging, which alienated conservative critics.
- Its deliberate naïveté of composition, contrasting with its technical complexity. (correct)
- Its unprecedented use of expensive materials, like silver paint, which seemed extravagant.
How did Henri Rousseau depict the heavy rain in 'Surprised!' (Tiger in a Tropical Storm), and what inspired this technique?
How did Henri Rousseau depict the heavy rain in 'Surprised!' (Tiger in a Tropical Storm), and what inspired this technique?
- By applying diluted washes of color, influenced by Turner's atmospheric effects.
- By using thick, impasto brushstrokes, inspired by Van Gogh's textured landscapes.
- By trailing strands of silver paint diagonally across the canvas, inspired by the satin-like finishes of William-Adolphe Bouguereau. (correct)
- By creating incised lines in the paint surface, drawing inspiration from ancient cave paintings.
Which statement accurately reflects the Salon des Indépendants' significance in Henri Rousseau's career?
Which statement accurately reflects the Salon des Indépendants' significance in Henri Rousseau's career?
- It was the only venue where Rousseau consistently received critical acclaim for his sophisticated techniques.
- It primarily showcased academic art, making Rousseau's inclusion a controversial move that boosted his notoriety.
- It was a highly exclusive salon that guaranteed sales and recognition for featured artists such as Henri Rousseau.
- It provided Rousseau a platform free from jury selection to exhibit his work, after rejection from the Academie de peinture et de sculpture. (correct)
How did the perception of Henri Rousseau's work evolve from its initial reception to later recognition among fellow artists?
How did the perception of Henri Rousseau's work evolve from its initial reception to later recognition among fellow artists?
What is the intended effect of leaving the tiger's prey outside the frame in 'Surprised!' (Tiger in a Tropical Storm)?
What is the intended effect of leaving the tiger's prey outside the frame in 'Surprised!' (Tiger in a Tropical Storm)?
Flashcards
Surprised! (Tiger in a Tropical Storm)
Surprised! (Tiger in a Tropical Storm)
Henri Rousseau painted it in 1891; it's his first jungle painting.
Salon des Indépendants
Salon des Indépendants
An exhibition in Paris, open to all artists without a jury.
Initial Reception of Rousseau's Work
Initial Reception of Rousseau's Work
Critics often mocked his works as childish, lacking the technical skill apparent in the works of leading academic painters.
Tiger's Prey in 'Surprised!'
Tiger's Prey in 'Surprised!'
Signup and view all the flashcards
Admirers of Henri Rousseau
Admirers of Henri Rousseau
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
- "Surprised! (or Tiger in a Tropical Storm)" was painted by Henri Rousseau in 1891.
- This painting was the first of his jungle paintings.
- It depicts a tiger about to attack prey during a storm, illuminated by lightning.
- Rousseau submitted "Tiger in a Tropical Storm" to the Salon des Indépendants in 1891, as the Academie de peinture et de sculpture jury would not accept it.
- The Salon des Indépendants was open to all artists.
- Reviews for the painting were mixed.
- Rousseau's first known work, "Landscape with a Windmill", was created when he was 35.
- Critics often dismissed Rousseau's style as childish.
- The viewer is left to imagine the tiger's prey and the outcome of the scene.
- Rousseau stated the tiger was about to pounce on a group of explorers.
- Rousseau used many layers and shades of green to represent the jungle.
- To depict rain, Rousseau trailed silver paint diagonally across the canvas.
- This technique was inspired by William-Adolphe Bouguereau's satin-like finishes.
- Critics continued to deride Rousseau's work through his death in 1910.
- Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Paul Klee admired Rousseau's work.
- Around 1908, Ambroise Vollard bought "Surprised!" and two other works from Rousseau.
- The National Gallery, London, purchased the painting in 1972 with help from Walter H. Annenberg.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Henri Rousseau painted "Tiger in a Tropical Storm" in 1891, marking it as his first jungle painting. The artwork portrays a tiger poised to attack during a storm, illuminated by lightning. Rousseau submitted it to the Salon des Indépendants due to rejection from the Academie de peinture et de sculpture.
