Henri Rousseau’s The Snake Charmer is an oil painting created in 1907 that depicts a mysterious woman playing a flute on the edge of a dark jungle with a snake extending towards her from a nearby tree. Rousseau, who was self-taught, painted most of his jungles in the Natural History Museum and in the botanical gardens in Paris. The painting is an example of naive art style and was controversial during Rousseau’s time.
The Snake Charmer is considered one of Henri Rousseau’s finest and most celebrated works. The lush greenery depicted makes it seem like the viewer can almost feel what it would be like to be standing at the edge of this diorama-like scene. The tension-filled atmosphere adds to its allure as well, making each viewing feel different depending on how you interpret it.
The painting is now located at Musée d’Orsay in Paris, where it remains one of the most popular pieces on display there. Despite being over 114 years old since its creation, The Snake Charmer continues to captivate art enthusiasts worldwide with its beauty and unique style representation.
