The Banks of the Oise 1905

Henri Rousseau's "The Banks of the Oise" (1905), now at the Smith College Museum of Art, depicts a serene river scene. The painting, a prime example of Rousseau's "naive art" style, showcases his unique perspective on nature. It presents a simplified, almost childlike, portrayal of a river with two boats and lush greenery, all rendered in a flat, decorative manner. The artist's distinct use of color and forms contribute to the whimsical and dreamlike atmosphere of the work, placing him as a key figure in the development of early modernism.