French Post - Impressionist painter noted for his pure, primitive style. Le Douanier Rousseau was born in Lavalle, he has joined the army at the age of 18 and fought in the Franco-German War at the age of 27. He has retired as a tax collector and was a self-taught painter. Rousseau is keen to create a fantasy world, often drawing inspiration from children's books, the botanical gardens of Paris, the zoo, etc., his works cover a wide range of themes, including the suburbs of Paris, portraits, flowers, etc., and his paintings have the charm of a primitive fairy tale.