Henri Rousseau (1844-1910)
French Artist spent his life in the working class a toll collector, a clerk, and a soldier. In 1893, he retired on pension and began painting to occupy his time. Although he was self-taught, his work retained a sophisticated sense of color and unique composition. In the 1880’s, Rousseau began to exhibit his paintings but was never completely taken seriously by his critics and colleagues. After his dealth, his work influenced the progress of the surrealist movement.
