The Dream

Henri Rousseau’s The Dream (1910) is a mesmerizing fusion of fantasy, symbolism, and lush imagination. Measuring over 6 by 9 feet, this oil-on-canvas masterpiece was the final work completed by Rousseau before his death. The painting features Yadwigha, the artist’s Polish mistress from his youth, reclining nude on a divan amidst an exotic jungle brimming with lotus flowers, wild animals, and a mysterious flute-playing snake charmer. This surreal contrast between the domestic and the untamed reflects a dreamscape, blurring the boundaries of reality and imagination. Displayed at the 1910 Salon des Indépendants, The Dream initially met skepticism, but won acclaim from poet Guillaume Apollinaire for its undeniable beauty. Rousseau even wrote a poem to accompany the painting, suggesting it portrays a woman dreaming of jungle music while asleep in Paris. Drawing inspiration from classical reclining nudes and possibly from Zola’s novel Le Rêve, Rousseau blended personal memory, romantic longing, and imaginative vision. Today, The Dream is proudly housed in the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and is considered Rousseau’s crowning achievement in the jungle series.