Théodore Rousseau
Théodore Rousseau (1812–1867) was a French landscape painter and one of the founding members of the Barbizon school, a movement that sought to break away from academic traditions and embrace a more naturalistic and direct approach to landscape painting. Born in Paris, Rousseau studied at the École des Beaux-Arts, but he quickly rejected the constraints of academic painting, choosing instead to focus on plein air painting. He settled in the village of Barbizon, near the Forest of Fontainebleau, where he painted the surrounding landscapes with a deep sensitivity to light, atmosphere, and nature's raw beauty.
Rousseau's works were groundbreaking for their time, influencing later generations of landscape painters, including the Impressionists. His legacy as one of the key figures in 19th-century landscape painting is secure, with his works held in major collections such as the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay.
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Full Name: Théodore Rousseau
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Birth and Death: 1812–1867
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Profession: Painter
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Influences: Barbizon school, Plein air painting
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Legacy: Known for his pioneering role in the Barbizon school, Rousseau’s works are housed in institutions like the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay.