the Mill at Alfor 1905

"The Mill at Alfort" (1905) by Henri Rousseau depicts a picturesque scene of a mill nestled amidst lush greenery. The mill, prominently displayed with the inscription "Moulin Balfort," stands on the bank of a tranquil river, while a lone figure navigates its waters in a small boat. Rousseau, known for his naive style, employs vibrant colors and simple forms to capture the idyllic charm of the landscape. The work, characterized by its flat perspective and dreamlike quality, embodies the artist's unique vision, drawing inspiration from the natural world and blurring the lines between reality and imagination. It exemplifies Rousseau's status as a pioneering figure of "naive" art, a style that celebrates the unsophisticated yet powerful artistic vision of the everyday individual.