Born in 1844, Henri Julien Félix Rousseau was born to a family of tinsmiths in the French town of Laval, Mayenne, but enjoyed the arts of music and drawing at a young age. Despite his artistic inclinations, as an adult he found himself working a tax collector, which contributed to his nickname, Le Douanier (the customs officer). As he grew older, he began to throw himself more and more into his art. His painting career truly began to pick up when he was in his 40’s, and he began exhibiting his pieces more regularly.
His artworks focused on scenes in the jungle and he was honored for his style and brilliance by renowned artists like Pablo Picasso. While his work received much criticism for its naive and primitive style, Rousseau is well-recognized in the art world as a self-made and self-taught genius whose paintings continue to influence and inspire avant-garde and impressionist artists. These paintings are sure to light a spark within you!
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Cliff, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
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