Henri Julien Rousseau, commonly known as Henri Rousseau, was a French post-impressionist painter in the Naïve or Primitive manner. He was born on May 21, 1844, in Laval, France, and worked a variety of jobs before beginning to paint at the age of forty. Despite his late start, Rousseau claimed to have no formal artistic training, although there is evidence that he may have received some lessons.
Rousseau is best known for his richly imagined jungle scenes, despite never having left France or seen a jungle. His most iconic works, such as 'The Sleeping Gypsy' and 'The Dream', showcase his unique style characterized by vivid colors, dreamlike compositions, and meticulous attention to detail. Rousseau's work was initially mocked by critics, but he gained a modest level of recognition in his lifetime and went on to influence several avant-garde artists, including Pablo Picasso and Jean Hugo.
He served in the army during the Franco-Prussian War and later worked as a toll collector in Paris, a job that earned him the nickname 'Le Douanier' (the customs officer). Rousseau's art was often misunderstood during his lifetime, and he was frequently the subject of ridicule. However, he enjoyed the support of some members of the artistic community, such as the poet Guillaume Apollinaire and the artist Robert Delaunay.
Despite his outsider status in the art world, Rousseau's work was exhibited at several Salons des Indépendants, and he received a solo retrospective at the Salon d'Automne just two years before his death. Henri Rousseau died on September 2, 1910, in Paris. After his death, his work grew in popularity and became a precursor to the naive art movement. Today, Rousseau is regarded as an important figure in modern art, whose works are displayed in major museums around the world.
