The Imperialist Exotic - Henri Rousseau's Jungle Series

Henri Rousseau's artwork, particularly his "jungle" paintings, can be interpreted in relation to postcolonial France, reflecting both national pride and a fascination with exotic, often idealized, representations of non-European worlds. While Rousseau never traveled to tropical regions, his paintings, inspired by zoos, botanical gardens, and illustrated books, created a dreamlike world of exotic flora and fauna. 

During this lecture we will look at the work of Henri Rousseau from a postcolonial lens, discussing how the colonial sciences impacted Rousseau's visions of the jungle and how we can see colonial rhetoric within his beautiful, surreal landscapes. 

Join art historian Leah Raphaela to learn more about the context in which these paintings were made.

Upon booking you will receive an automated email with instructions on how to join.