Bouquet of Flowers 1910

Henri Rousseau made this "Bouquet of Flowers" with oil on canvas. It's a still life that feels like a meditation on shape and color, not just a representation of flowers. Rousseau's colors are muted, almost dreamy, creating this sense of calm. Look at the vase; the swirling lines give it a kind of energy, like the clay is still spinning. The flowers are carefully arranged, each one distinct, but there's a flatness to them that’s so charming. Focus on those dark, almost black pansies at the front. They ground the whole composition, their velvety texture a real contrast to the smoother petals around them. It's like Rousseau is inviting us to slow down and really see. Rousseau's naive style reminds me of Florine Stettheimer; they both share this love of color and pattern, and this ability to transform everyday objects into something really special and strange.