The Sleeping Gypsy
The artist
Henri Rousseau, a French painter who taught himself to paint and loved dreamy, magical scenes.
What you see
A traveler in a striped robe sleeps in a desert at night while a gentle lion sniffs quietly nearby.
The story
Rousseau painted this quiet moonlit scene in 1897, imagining a faraway land he had never seen.
The style
He used smooth, simple shapes and calm colors that make the whole night feel still and peaceful.
Look closer
A round full moon glows above, and a mandolin and water jug rest beside the sleeping traveler.
Where to see it
You can see it at the Museum of Modern Art, called MoMA, in New York City.
Fun fact
The lion looks curious, not hungry, so many people feel the sleeping traveler is perfectly safe.