Henry Rousseau

The artist, Henry Rousseau, showed ingenious painting ability with his simplistic style and fantasy backgrounds. He lived in France from 1844 to 1910 receiving modest acclaim and limited income during that time. Today, Henry Rousseau is recognized as innovative and unique. His Post Impressionist paintings inspired later artists such as Picasso and other Surrealist period artists.

Henry Rousseau learned his trade alone without the means to attend prestigious art schools. He lived most of his life in Paris yet his paintings reflect exotic tropical scenes that grew from his imagination. One of Henry Rousseau’s famous paintings, The Hungry Lion Throws Itself on the Antelope, depicts detailed colorful jungle scenery and other works feature flamingos, apes and exotic creatures.

Many critics during Henry Rousseau’s lifetime believed that his paintings lacked depth and were childish and primitive. He favored fantasy style backgrounds with super imposed figures, all with deep tones and bright colors. Henry Rousseau is often recognized in his painting, Self Portrait, completed in 1890, a reflection of his creative style.