Henri Rousseau
Personal Details:
Name |
Henri Rousseau |
Place of birth |
Laval, France |
Year of Birth |
1844 |
Year of death |
1910 |
Nationality |
French |
Paintings |
The Sleeping Gypsy, The Hungry Lion Throws Itself on the Antelope, The Snake Charmer, The Dream, etc. |
Henri Rousseau was a French post-impressionist painter who is famous for his imaginative and exotic paintings. His work is often referred to as naive art, as he had no formal training in painting and was largely self-taught. He was born in Laval in 1844 and studied music before giving it up in favour of painting at the age of forty.
Rousseau's paintings are instantly recognizable due to their unique style, which features vivid colors, flat perspectives and dream-like scenes. Many of his works depict scenes from his imagination such as exotic jungles and wild animals, while others are inspired by the French countryside. He was also a master of portraiture, painting several well-known portraits of family members and friends.
Rousseau's painting style owes much to his lack of formal training; his works often have a child-like quality with a flat perspective and distorted figures. He was also known for his use of bright colors which created an almost fantastical atmosphere in his paintings. He was highly influenced by the works of other artists such as Paul Gauguin, whom he met in 1894, and Jean-François Millet, whose works inspired some of his early paintings.
Rousseau's works were initially met with ridicule by the art world, but he eventually earned the respect of some of the most famous Impressionist painters such as Monet, Pissarro and Seurat. In 1905, he was awarded the Légion d'honneur and in 1908, he became the first non-academic painter to be admitted to the prestigious Salon des Indépendants.
Rousseau's works remain highly sought-after today, and his paintings can be found in many of the world's leading art galleries and museums. He is considered one of the most influential painters of the Post-Impressionist era, and his works continue to inspire many contemporary painters.
Throughout his life, Rousseau remained devoted to painting, despite the lack of recognition and financial success. His works are a testament to his dedication and talent, and are a reminder of the power of imagination and the importance of following your dreams.
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