Henri Rousseau's "Fight between a Tiger and a Buffalo" (1908) exemplifies his distinctive naïve art style, characterised by bold colours and dramatic composition. The painting depicts a fierce struggle between two powerful beasts in a lush jungle setting, with the tiger's muscles tensed as it launches itself at the buffalo. The vivid greens of the vegetation and the dramatic red sky create an intense atmosphere, while the precise, almost child-like rendering of the animals adds a compelling otherworldliness to the scene.
What makes this work particularly fascinating is that Rousseau, a self-taught artist who worked as a customs officer, never actually saw these exotic animals in their natural habitat. He drew inspiration from visits to the Jardin des Plantes in Paris and botanical illustrations in books. His imagination transformed these references into something entirely unique, combining reality with fantasy in a way that would later influence surrealist artists.
The painting reflects Rousseau's fascination with the untamed natural world and his ability to create tension through seemingly simple compositions. Despite initial criticism from the art establishment of his time, his distinctive approach to perspective and form eventually earned him recognition among avant-garde artists like Picasso and Kandinsky. This work showcases his talent for creating dramatic scenes that balance raw energy with careful attention to detail, from the intricate patterns of the foliage to the expressive faces of the battling animals.
