Rousseau Henri Le Douanier 1844 1910 Collection

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EDITORS COMMENTS

Henri Rousseau, also known as Le Douanier (The Customs Officer), was a French painter born on May 21, 1844, in Laval, France. He began his career as a toll collector for the French government before pursuing his passion for art at the age of 40. Despite receiving little formal training and facing criticism from the artistic community due to his unconventional style and lack of technical skill, Rousseau continued to paint throughout his life. Rousseau's unique approach to art often featured dreamlike landscapes and fantastical creatures set against vibrant backdrops. His works were heavily influenced by Romanticism and Naïve Art movements. One of his most famous paintings is "Surprised." (1891), which depicts a woman being attacked by a snake in her backyard while reading. Throughout his career, Rousseau exhibited at various Parisian salons but received limited recognition until after World War I when he gained popularity among avant-garde artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. In fact, it wasn't until after Rousseau's death in December 1910 that he gained widespread acclaim for his contributions to modern art. Today, Henri Rousseau is considered one of the pioneers of Naïve Art movement alongside other notable artists like Paul Gauguin and Jean-Honoré Fragonard. His artwork can be found in museums worldwide including The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and The National Gallery in London.