Henri Rousseau

It's the birthday of Henri Rousseau was born on this day in 1844.

Rousseau didn't start painting until he was 40 years old. He submitted his work to the Salon in 1886 and was ridiculed. Nonetheless, he returned every year for the rest of his life with new pieces. One harsh critic said that Rousseau painted with his feet.
Rousseau became famous for his jungle paintings. Although he had never been to the jungle, he had been to the botanical garden in Paris. The place was his muse. Rousseau said,

"When I step into the hothouses and see the plants from exotic lands, it seems to me that I am in a dream.”