Tiger in a Tropical Storm

This powerful piece depicts a ferocious tiger emerging from the dense foliage of a tropical rainforest, illuminated by a flash of lightning that rips through the stormy sky. The tiger's muscular form and piercing gaze exude a sense of raw power and danger, while the lush vegetation and torrential downpour create a dramatic and almost surreal atmosphere. 'Tiger in a Tropical Storm' was one of Rousseau's first jungle paintings and remains one of his most popular and recognizable works. The painting is currently housed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Henri Rousseau (21 May 1844 – 2 September 1910), was a French Post-Impressionist painter, born in Laval, France who became famous for his vibrantly colored and imaginative jungle scenes, often populated with exotic animals. He was one of the first modern artists to paint in a primitivist style, and his works were highly influential on the development of Surrealism and other avant-garde movements. He worked as a customs officer in Paris for most of his life, and he began painting in his free time around the age of 40. He was self-taught and had no formal training in art.