Born in 1844, Henri Julien Félix Rousseau was born to a family of tinsmiths in the French town of Laval, Mayenne, but enjoyed the arts of music and drawing at a young age. Despite his artistic inclinations, as an adult he found himself working a tax collector, which contributed to his nickname, Le Douanier (the customs officer). As he grew older, he began to throw himself more and more into his art. His painting career truly began to pick up when he was in his 40’s, and he began exhibiting his pieces more regularly.
His artworks focused on scenes in the jungle and he was honored for his style and brilliance by renowned artists like Pablo Picasso. While his work received much criticism for its naive and primitive style, Rousseau is well-recognized in the art world as a self-made and self-taught genius whose paintings continue to influence and inspire avant-garde and impressionist artists. These paintings are sure to light a spark within you!

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Cliff, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)

(By Henri Rousseau, Wikimedia Commons)
Painter Johannes Vermeer Was Famous For His Unique Style
Johannes Vermeer was one of the many Dutch artists that was underappreciated in his time despite creating this numerous beautiful paintings
The Story of the Woman Behind Vincent van Gogh
Little is said about the woman behind Vincent van Gogh, but he was not always alone...
The 25 Coolest Movie Posters Ever Made
Movie posters from the 1900s had a different charm. Let’s check out the best ones from that era.
Frida Kahlo's Paintings Blended Mexican Culture With Art
Frida Kahlo found herself in her art, and creating lovely portraits and still-lifes about the culture and history of Mexico, her home.
These Paintings Bring to Life Treasures of Our Childhood!
American artist Charles Bell brought to life wondrous memories of childhood fun with his gorgeous hyperrealistic paintings
4:59
Alzheimer’s Progression Through Self Portraits
Watch the progression of Alzheimer’s dead ease through periodical self portraits
5:58
Andrea Bocelli Never Ceases to Amaze! Watch This Show
Andrea Bocelli never ceases to amaze and this performance is no exception.
Yo Yo Ma Plays: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
As part of an appearance on the American program The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Yo-Yo Ma combined two wonderful pieces from two completely different worlds.
14 Mesmerizing Cakes That Look Just Like Paradise Islands!
Admire these 14 gorgeous ocean cakes and be teleported to a tropical paradise!
7:39
The Emotional Punch of a Special André Rieu Performance
Together with André Rieu's orchestra, the two performed a beautiful and moving classical arrangement of "Across the Stars", the piece composed by John Williams for the Star Wars films.
4:34
This Was One of Elvis Presley's Last Great Performances
Here's an extremely rare and great quality video of the King, Elvis Presley introducing and performing "Unchained Melody".
These Canadian Tenors Get a Huge Surprise on Stage
The look on these tenors' faces when they are joined by a special guess is priceless...
4:41
Watch André Rieu’s Stunning Musical Moment
Watch in amazement as the legendary musician, André Rieu, performs an outstanding rendition of 'You Raise Me Up' alongside the Johann Strauss Orchestra.
4:29
Watch Swan Lake Like You Have Never Seen it Before!
Wow, these ballet dancers are so good that they'll take your breath away. Check them out!
3:17
Watch This Child Prodigy Play a Sublime Vivaldi
Enjoy this beautiful rendition of Vivaldi's Four Seasons by this incredible prodigy.
These Tables Clearly Prove There’s No Limit To Creativity!
The following pictures show that even the simplest piece of household furniture, the table, can be the most impactful!
2:59
Cab Calloway Performs His Classic Song Minnie the Moocher!
This video captures an epic performance of the great 1930s singer and dancer Cab Calloway singing a well-known track from Minnie the Moocher
Rachmaninoff Was a Composer With a Style All His Own...
Rachmaninoff is one of the world's most celebrated composers, who produced his best work toward the end of his life. Enjoy 16 pieces of music by him.
This Stunning Artwork Shows the Charm of Rustic Italy
These beautiful paintings by Italian painter Eugene de Blaas are as elegant as they come
These 3D Embroidery Designs Look Like Real Food
Marvel at the stunning 3D food embroideries created by the artist Youmeng Liu.
Get Funky with Stevie Wonder’s Greatest Hits
Stevie Wonder was one of the 20th century's most prominent and creative musical figures, and these are his most timeless and unforgettable hits.
3:43
This Emotional Duet Gave Me Goosebumps of Pleasure
These two world-famous artists are amazingly talented singing alone, let alone when they join to give an emotional duet like this.
2:57
Hear 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' Like Never Before!
See a stunning adaptation of the holiday classic, 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,' sung by the super-talented Pentatonix.
Autumn Leaf Paintings to Put You In the Mood For the Fall
These two Georgian artists have created some spectacular works of art - on leaves. View their wonderful work and get in the mood for the fall today.
1:52:32
They Don't Make Them Like Tina Turner in Full Concert...
Tina Turner's 2000 tour was one of the 21st century's best. Here it is, 20 years later, and she's giving her all in this 2 hour extravaganza you are bound to enjoy!
15 of the Most Beautiful Buildings in Art Nouveau Style
Art Nouveau architecture includes some of the most beautiful buildings that ever existed! Here, you will see 15 beautiful Art Nouveau buildings across the world.
These Paintings Transport You to a Pastoral Dream World
Denmark's most famous landscape painter is one of the art world's greatest secrets. Have a look at these wondrous examples of his work.
These Charming Old Paintings are Like a Balm for the Soul
Marvel at some of the finest landscape watercolor paintings by renowned American artist Thomas Moran.
This Stunning Embroidery Art is Truly a Sight to Behold!
Vera Shimunia is a Russian artist who has truly mastered the art of embroidery painting. Check out some of her stunning work here!
3:59
This Orchestral Masterpiece Will Bring Tears to Your Eyes
Watch Plácido Domingo's incredible version of 'Silent Night' that will bring tears to your eyes!
12 Jaw Dropping Facts About the Most Famous Art in History
You'll likely recognize these famous artworks, but we’re willing to bet you didn’t know the incredibly curious facts about these masterpieces
4:18
Not Only a Beautiful Shadow Dance, But Also a Story...
An incredibly talented shadow troupe performing an enchanting dance that tells a story...
7:18
A Traditional Folk Dance that Uses a Special Move...
The Russian folk dance in this video, as you're about to see, cannot be performed by just anyone...
10:54
Don't Miss This Wonderful Cirque du Soleil Balancing Act!
At the climax of the show, these two talented performers raise a tower of cardboard boxes that reaches all the way to the ceiling of the hall, and they aren't content to merely hold it in their hands...
I'd Never Heard of This Artist - Now I'll Never Forget Him
Look at these lush rural scenes and you'll feel like you're really where the artist was, communing with nature.
These 10 Famous Salvador Dali Paintings Will Amaze You
Salvador Dali is a Spanish artist well-known for his works of Surrealism. Here we take a look at 10 of his most famous paintings.
Stan Munro's Toothpick Art Is Unbelievably Painstaking
This man took 6 million toothpicks and six years to create one of the most impressive miniature displays that you'll ever see.
Remember This Song by Whitney Houston? Sing Along Here
Sing along to Whitney Houston's well known song, One Moment in Time.
35:34
If This Heavenly Music Doesn't Lift You, Then Nothing Will
Sarah Chang plays an amazing violin concerto that you will never forget.
18:12
Joshua Bell Shows You 300 Years of Music in 18 Minutes!
Discover why this timeless art form continues to resonate and inspire across generations.
Arsen Kurbanov Captures the Human Condition Like No Other
These wonderful paintings are by Russian artist Arsen Kubanov. He seeks to combine old painting techniques with his own personal style to create his art.
5:02
You Just Don't See This Kind of Act Anymore... Bravo!
This fantastic mime act uses an unorthodox second head to lure you into an amusing performance!
The Most Gorgeous Painting of Our Beautiful World...
Richard MacNeil is an artist that captures the beauty of life in his oil paintings.
10:50
A Magnificent Spectacle by the French Cirque de Soleil
These talented and brave artists use swings to perform amazing aerial stunts and fly like birds.
7:23
Some Choirs Know How to Enchant the World With Their Music
You cannot watch this without smiling...
Could You Believe This Art Was Made Out of a Bar of Soap?
Barresi discovered all that he could do with a simple bar of soap.
Some of the Greatest Sculptors in History and Their Works
These are the 10 best sculptors of all time and their greatest masterpieces
To enable your Ad-Free Subscription, please fill the fields below
Your subscription was successful, now you can enjoy an ad-free experience!! Note: To make sure you get no ads, please make sure to log in to your account. If you are logged in already, then refresh the page. The subscription can be cancelled at any time.