Henri Rousseau

Date of Birth: May 21, 1844

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: September 2, 1910

Biography

Henri Julien Félix Rousseau, commonly known as Henri Rousseau, was a French post-impressionist painter in the Naïve or Primitive style. He was born on May 21, 1844, in Laval, France. Although he worked as a toll collector, he is most famous for his richly detailed jungle scenes, despite never having been to a jungle himself. Rousseau was a self-taught artist who began painting seriously in his early 40s. His work was often ridiculed by critics during his lifetime, but he gained the admiration of avant-garde artists such as Pablo Picasso and Wassily Kandinsky. Rousseau’s most famous works include “The Sleeping Gypsy” and “The Dream,” which are celebrated for their vivid colors, imaginative landscapes, and dreamlike quality. His distinctive style and unique vision have earned him a place among the most interesting and influential artists of his time. Rousseau passed away on September 2, 1910, in Paris, France.

5 Interesting Facts about Henri Rousseau

1. Henri Rousseau never set foot in a jungle; his tropical scenes were inspired by visits to the botanical gardens in Paris and illustrations in books.

2. He worked as a toll collector for the Paris toll service, earning him the nickname “Le Douanier” (the customs officer).

3. Rousseau was largely self-taught and did not begin painting seriously until he was in his early 40s.

4. He exhibited his work at the Salon des Indépendants, a venue for unconventional artists.

5. Pablo Picasso once hosted a banquet in Rousseau’s honor, acknowledging his unique talent and contribution to the art world.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henri Rousseau

1. “Nothing makes me so happy as to observe nature and to paint what I see.”

2. “The animals I paint, they seem to pose for me.”

3. “My ambition is to make people see beauty in everything.”

4. “I am the inventor of a new style of painting.”

5. “When I go into the glass houses and I see the strange plants of exotic lands, it seems to me that I enter into a dream.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Rousseau’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but he lived modestly and did not achieve significant financial success during his lifetime. His works, however, have sold for millions at auction posthumously.

Children

Henri Rousseau and his first wife, Clémence Boitard, had six children, although only one, Julia, survived to adulthood. His second marriage to Josephine Noury did not produce any children.