Henri Rousseau
This composition is one of the most ambitious ever undertaken by Rousseau, consisting of a large-sized group portrait in which each face is individualized, placed before a group of trees whose species are all meticulously differentiated.
It is one of Rousseau's most famous works, exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants of 1905. The identity of the figures is not known, except for the artist himself, who is depicted to the right behind the bride. It is most likely that the painting was based on a photograph, as can be seen from the somewhat static composition. The artist had certain difficulties with foreshortening and positioning the figures in a spatially convincing manner—the "hovering" bride appears awkwardly placed, as does the grandfather "seated" on a tree stump—and the figures appear as superimposed motifs on a stylized background. This awkwardness does not, however, detract from the charm of the painting.
X-ray examination has disclosed several major alterations: originally, the grandmother's dress, on the right, extended as far as the dog, and the bridal veil was painted over the other already completed figures.
We present this painting today because of my friends' wedding anniversary—Dżasta & Leszek, have a great day today! ; )
P.S. Henri Rousseau painted many exotic landscapes although he never left France. Check thee amazing imaginary jungles and deserts here. <3