Rousseau, Henri (1844-1910)
La Liberté invitant les artistes à participer à la 22e exposition des Indépendants (Liberty Inviting Artists to Take Part in the 22nd Exhibition of the Societe des Artistes Independants)
1905–1906
Oil on canvas, 175 x 118 cm
National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
Exhibitions without any judges in which anyone could participate are known as “indépendant” exhibitions. Such events provided Henri Rousseau, who did not receive any formal artistic training, with an indispensable outlet for his work. This picture, depicting the goddess of Liberty fluttering through the blue sky, was intended to bless the free nature of indépendant exhibitions. In the exhibit hall, a huge group of artists have gathered, clutching their works. Next to the lion, displaying a plate inscribed with the names of central members of the organization, two figures can be seen shaking hands. The man on the left is the director of the exhibition, and the one on the right is Rousseau himself. (MOMAT)