The best magazine
Born on April 15, 1812, in Paris, to an upper class, bourgeois family, some of his siblings were also accomplished artists.
Enrolling initially in a business school, his forceful inclination and prolific talent in the field of art convinced him to pursue it as his profession.
In 1831 and 1834, Theodore presented two of his art works for the prestigious biannual art exhibition, Paris Salon.
Not much appreciated by the Salon authorities, his competent work, "La descente des vaches," was rejected in 1836, and was later called the 'great rejected one.
' Unfazed, Theodore Rousseau was impeccably perseverant, and his art matured that fetched him admiration from his contemporary artists.
All the while, when the Salon authorities were busy banishing him, the adept artist was producing his masterpieces, such as "The Chestnut Avenue (1837)," "The Marsh in the Lands," and "Hoar-Frost.
" In 1851, Salon accepted his work, "The Edge of the Forest," which art critics, fellow artists, and the Salon authorities, appreciated alike.
In 1848, Theodore Rousseau moved to a forest village of Barbizon, due to his passion for capturing landscapes on canvass.
His brilliant paintings carried meticulous details, elaborated with subtle melancholy and bold brush strokes.
His growing popularity was largely attributed to his fellow artists, who regarded him as an innovator of 'Impressionism in the Naturalist' style.
The year 1853 proved overwhelming for Theodore's career, when all his rejected paintings were collected and exhibited together at the exhibition of Exposition Universelle.
Hereafter, Rousseau's popularity scaled new heights.
Though, the artist's later years were quite traumatic and distressing, he continued painting color and character rich landscapes, until his last breath.
For reasons unknown, his wife turned insane, his father regularly sought monetary help from him, he had little patrons left, he was surpassed accolades, and one of his friends, living in the forest village, committed suicide.
This emotional upheaval culminated to paralysis for Theodore Rousseau, eventually claiming his life on December 22, 1867.
Theodore's works grace several art galleries, such as Louvre, the Wallace collection, Victoria, and Albert Museum.
His watercolor paintings and sketches continue to enthrall art lovers and college students.
He was also made Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 1851, due to his ingenious ability of painting in the 'Naturalist' style.
Source: ...