Henry Rousseau: A Painter's Aspiration

About the Exhibition

This exhibition explores the artistic passion and creativity of Henri Rousseau ("Le Douanier" Rousseau). It is conceived to highlight the singular style and imagination of an artist who was somewhat sidelined from the center of modern art in his time. Co-presented by the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the Musée de l'Orangerie, the exhibition opened in Philadelphia in October 2025 and runs at the Musée de l'Orangerie from March 25 to July 20, 2026. It includes Rousseau's signature works, some of which were collected by art dealer Paul Guillaume, marking the first time the Musée de l'Orangerie has borrowed and exhibited works from the Barnes Foundation's collection. Visitors can experience Rousseau's original style and the distinctive influence he left on art history.