Composition and Subjects

The painting depicts a scene with Rousseau himself and his neighbors, the Junier family. Père Junier, who sold vegetables and would buy them every morning from market gardeners, is shown on the front seat of the carriage along with Rousseau. In the back seat are Madame Junier and her niece or nephew's daughter. The scene also includes Claudia Junier's horse and three dogs.

Technique and Inspiration

Rousseau used photographs as references for his painting. He employed a pantograph to enlarge the images and made significant changes to the composition, such as removing a tree behind the horse and adding more plantations. The figures in the painting do not strictly follow the poses in the photographs, indicating Rousseau's creative liberties in arranging the composition to avoid overcrowding.

Artistic Style and Reception

Rousseau's work is characterized by its naïve or primitive style, which was often ridiculed during his lifetime but later recognized for its artistic quality. 'La Carriole du Père Junier' reflects his unique approach to depicting everyday scenes with a focus on clear, detailed representations of the subjects and their surroundings.

Contemporary Influence

Despite the initial criticism, Rousseau's work had a significant influence on avant-garde artists. His paintings, including 'La Carriole du Père Junier,' were admired by artists like Pablo Picasso, who recognized Rousseau's genius and even hosted a banquet in his honor in 1908. This event was attended by several influential figures in the art world and marked a significant moment in the early success of the revolutionary art movement.

Historical Context

The painting is part of Rousseau's later body of work, created after he had retired from his job as a customs officer in 1893 to focus on painting full-time. It reflects his continued interest in depicting traditional and domestic scenes, which were a hallmark of his artistic style.