Release Date: September 21, 2006
National Gallery of Art's Shops Offer Exclusive merchandise for "Henri Rousseau: Jungles in Paris" Exhibition
Washington, DC—The National Gallery of Art Shops feature an eclectic collection of items to complement the Henri Rousseau: Jungles in Paris exhibition, on view through October 15, 2006. The special exhibition shop, located on the concourse level of the East Building, offers jewelry designed exclusively for the National Gallery, with vibrant colors and textures reminiscent of the well-known Rousseau jungle scenes; various paper products such as journals, posters, a note card set, and wall calendars in various formats; and a "Jungles in Music" CD that features compositions by Claude Debussy, Franz Liszt, Camille Saint-Saëns, and others. The "Jungles in Paris" DVD, produced by the National Gallery of Art and narrated by award-winning actor Kevin Kline, examines the life and career of the artist.
Children's Items
Children will enjoy the plush stuffed animals based on Rousseau's jungle paintings, including cuddly gorillas, tigers, lions, and monkeys of all sizes. All are available in the East Building Exhibition Shop and the Children's Shop on the concourse level. A DVD and VHS entitled "Dropping in on Rousseau" uses both animation and art images to engage a younger audience; a booklet of art tattoos and a 500-piece puzzle are designed to entertain children of all ages. Educational and humorous children's books on the artist include Hello Rousseau! by Catherine de Duve, and Henri Rousseau's Jungle Book by Doris Kutschback.
Art on Demand
For the first time, visitors to the National Gallery can order reproductions using "Art on Demand," a touch-screen kiosk that allows customers to choose from 17 images of Rousseau's works in the exhibit and customize their selection. The prints are available in three sizes, can be framed (in black or antique gold) or unframed, and are delivered to the customer's home in just three weeks. Reproductions include Tiger in a Tropical Storm (Surprised!), The Football Players, The Flamingos, Carnival Evening, A Centennial of Independence, Jungle with Setting Sun, The Dream, and others. Reproductions are on high-density, acid-free paper and have been tested for 75-year durability. The prints are available for purchase exclusively while the exhibition is on view through October 15.
Specialty Items
The Rousseau Exhibition Shop also offers silk scarves and handbags with animal print motifs that evoke the seductive feel of Rousseau's fantasy jungles. Custom tote bags, silk ties with rich colors, watches with Rousseau-inspired faces, and a pin featuring the couple from Carnival Evening are available as well.
Exhibition Catalogue and Books
Published by Harry N. Abrams, the detailed 224-page catalogue includes 100 brilliant color and 45 black-and-white pages. Essays offer a comprehensive overview of Rousseau's career and insights into the sources that inspired his work. The catalogue also includes previously unpublished reproductions of his sources alongside his paintings. It is available in softcover for $29.95. To order, call 1-(800)-697-9350 or (202) 842-6002; fax (202) 789-3047; or e-mail mailorder@nga.gov.
Detailed books on Rousseau's life and career include Interpreting Henri Rousseau, Innocent Eye, and Carnival Evening: New and Selected Poems, among many others.
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