Beginning in the late 19th century, French artist Henri Rousseau (1844–1910) crafted a distinctive vision that brought a fresh, imaginative spirit to modern art. With a naïve style that defied academic conventions, he inhabited a world where dreams and nature intertwined, capturing the attention of avant-garde circles despite his self-taught background and outsider status. Rousseau’s lush jungle scenes and evocative landscapes bridged the gap between fantasy and reality, influencing a broad spectrum of artists and movements.
Barnes Foundation docent Anne Hilton leads a discussion of “Henri Rousseau: A Painter’s Secrets,” a special exhibition on view at the museum, home to the world’s largest collection of works by the artist. Hilton delves into Rousseau’s career, highlighting how the artist crafted his paintings with viewers in mind, often adapting his works and personal narrative to align with their tastes. She also explores the exhibition, which reunites paintings from collections around the globe. They include, for the first time in over a century, works from both art dealer Paul Guillaume’s collection—typically housed at the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris—and Dr. Albert Barnes’ collection.
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