
Henri Rousseau. The Sleeping Gypsy. 1897 16
Oil on canvas, 51" x 6' 7" (129.5 x 200.7 cm). Gift of Mrs. Simon Guggenheim
Narrator: This painting by artist Henri Rousseau shows a mysterious scene. Where is this woman, and why is there a lion with her? Look closely at the painting. What clues can you find?
Kid voice 1: It’s nighttime—the stars and the moon are out.
Kid voice 2: It looks like a desert, but there’s water behind them.
Kid voice 1: How did she even get there? I don’t see any footprints.
Kid voice 2: She’s got an instrument with her, maybe she’s a musician?
Narrator: And what about that lion? Is he going to eat her? Or is he here to protect her?
Narrator: Maybe the lion is part of the woman’s dream as she sleeps. Or, maybe the woman is in the lion’s dream!
Narrator: Oh, sorry!
What do you think will happen next?