Works that have a naïve/childlike aesthetic might incorporate some of the following elements: simplified shapes, saturated color, expressive outlines, haphazard distortion of form, minimal shading/minimal indication of form, scenes of idyllic innocence, and painting without complete control or understanding but with little hesitation.

Artists might manifest a naïve/childlike aesthetic in a piece because it suits their temperament, or the artist might choose this aesthetic as a reflection of the characters or settings being portrayed. A naïve/childlike aesthetic might also be adopted to make a piece suitable for a setting that demands something with an innocent appearance.

Featured: Woman Walking in an Exotic Forest by Henri Rousseau.