Description: (Painter)
Henri Rousseau, a French post-impressionist painter, was renowned for his Naïve or Primitive style. Initially working as a toll and tax collector, he pursued painting more seriously in his early forties. He retired at age 49 to dedicate himself fully to his art. Despite facing criticism from critics in his lifetime, Rousseau was eventually acknowledged as a self-taught genius with exceptional artistic merit in his works. His influence resonated with numerous avant-garde artists across different eras, cementing his legacy in the art realm.