The Rabbit’s Meal by Henri Rousseau

This charming animal painting by Henri Rousseau, a delightful illustration of the rural poetry characteristic of the Naive Art movement, finds its legitimate place in the artist’s work under the title of “The Rabbit’s Meal”. The painter moves away from tropical scenes to celebrate domestic wildlife with a tenderness and simplicity characteristic of his universe. This work depicts a peaceful encounter between the animal and the modest products of the earth in a country setting.

In the foreground of the composition, a large rabbit with grey and white fur is settled on the soft ground, its ears raised and its eye alert. In front of the rodent, two bright orange carrots with an elongated silhouette rest on the ground, accompanied by an immense soft green cabbage leaf placed on the left side. In the background, a red brick wall with regular joints rises, bringing a warm geometric structure to the entire scene. On the right, a young shrub with a dark, sinuous trunk extends its leafy branches above the rabbit, completing this bucolic painting with a touch of fresh nature.

The artist demonstrates here his immense skill in oil by painting with meticulous realism the softness of the animal’s fur and the ribbed details of the cabbage leaf. This precise work of materials and the warm color palette give this rustic scene a comforting atmosphere of great delicacy.