Boy on the Rocks
Henri Rousseau · 1897
Why it's great
A boy stands on a rocky hill by a pond, looking out at us from a flat, stiff pose. Rousseau, who had no art teacher, painted in a naive, flat way that has a magic of its own. The leaves and rocks are carefully outlined. It's a charming and odd picture.
👀 Look closer!
The boy seems stiff and shy. Look at the plants behind him.
Where to see it
📍 National Gallery of ArtWashington, D.C., United States
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Henri Rousseau was born in Laval, France, and worked as a tax-and-toll collector, earning the nickname 'Le Douanier' (the customs officer). He taught himself to paint and began exhibiting in his forties. His jungle scenes, painted from visits to the Paris botanical garden, were mocked at first but later admired by Picasso and others. He died in Paris in 1910.
