Rousseau, Henri, known as Le Douanier Rousseau (1844-1910).
French painter, the most celebrated of naïve artists.
His nickname refers to the job he held with the Paris Customs Office
(1871-93), although he never actually rose to the rank of `Douanier' (Customs
Officer). Before this he had served in the army, and he later claimed to have
seen service in Mexico, but this story seems to be a product of his imagination.
He took up painting as a hobby and accepted early retirement in 1893 so he could
devote himself to art.
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/rousseau/
French painter, the most celebrated of naïve artists.
His nickname refers to the job he held with the Paris Customs Office
(1871-93), although he never actually rose to the rank of `Douanier' (Customs
Officer). Before this he had served in the army, and he later claimed to have
seen service in Mexico, but this story seems to be a product of his imagination.
He took up painting as a hobby and accepted early retirement in 1893 so he could
devote himself to art.
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/rousseau/