Corner of the Plateau of Bellevue 1902

Henri Rousseau painted "Corner of the Plateau of Bellevue" with oil on canvas. Look at how Rousseau builds this landscape, layering the silhouettes of trees against a warm, hazy sky. It’s like he's inviting us into a space between seeing and dreaming. There's something so touchable about the way he paints these trees; each leaf and branch has a life of its own. The dark greens and browns create a sort of textured curtain that parts to reveal that sliver of light. It's like a stage set. The colors aren't mixed to trick the eye, but laid on flat, which somehow makes the scene even more alive. It reminds me of Léger's compositions, a similar way of playing with flatness and depth. Rousseau’s work isn’t trying to be a window onto the world, but rather an invitation to wander into one of many possible worlds.