The Douanier Rousseau at the Orsay

Virtually unique in the history of European art, Henri Rousseau was a singular artist with a highly distinctive style. A self-taught painter who was inspired by the academic approach, Rousseau was nicknamed ‘Le Douanier’ (the Customs Officer), in reference to his job as a tax collector, by the many great minds he counted among his friends. Far from being yet another celebration of the naïve simplicity of Rousseau, the current exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay celebrates his ‘Archaic Candour’, as the subtitle describes his particular artistic quality. Works by such prestigious names in the world of art as Seurat, Delaunay, Kandinsky and Picasso are used to illustrate the rich interconnectedness between their creativity and that of Rousseau, the so-called primitive artist. Often mocked in his day for the childlike aspect of his images and his bright, flat colours, Rousseau is now perceived as an inspiration for generations of avant-garde artists. JR.

The Douanier Rousseau: the Archaic Candour
Until July 17th, 2016, at the Musée d’Orsay

1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, Paris 7th arrondissement
About 25 minutes from the Hotel Fabric

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 to 18:00, late opening Thursday until 21:45
www.musee-orsay.fr

Photo credit: Henri Rousseau, called Le Douanier (1844-1910). The Dream. 1910. Oil on canvas. 204.5 x 298.5 cm. New York, MoMA © 2016. Digital Image, The Museum of Modern Art, New York / Scala, Florence