Henri Rousseau

Two of the greatest collections of Rousseaus work come together in a new exhibition that offers fresh insights into the painters art and life The Barnes Foundation is home to the worlds largest collection of works by the self-taught artist Henri Rousseau (18441910). Many of them were bought by Dr. Albert C. Barnes from the Paris art dealer Paul Guillaume, also an avid collector of Rousseaus works. This publication offers a comprehensive study of the eighteen works at the Barnes and places them in dialogue with works from around the globe, including those from Guillaumes collection (now housed at the Muse de lOrangerie in Paris). This unprecedented overview of the artists work reunites paintings that have been apart for more than one hundred years, marking the first time that works from the Foundations galleries will form part of an exhibition devoted to Rousseau. Working closely with Barnes Foundation conservation staff, Christopher Green and Nancy Ireson consider Rousseaus novel artistic practice and explore his process of adapting works to new purposes. They also examine how Rousseau navigated the art world, driven by the need to market his works in the hope of furthering his career. Richly illustrated with Rousseaus idiosyncratic jungle scenes, landscapes, portraits, and still lifes, this volume presents new findings and includes essays that discuss the market for the artist in the 1920s and the veiled eroticism of the painters jungle scenes. Distributed for the Barnes Foundation Exhibition Schedule: Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia (October 19, 2025February 22, 2026) Muse de lOrangerie, Paris (March 24July 20, 2026)