Henri Rousseau, the ambition of painting

Henri Rousseau marked the history of art with his unique self-taught style and his dreamlike vision. Starting March 25, 2026, the Musée de l’Orangerie will organize an exceptional exhibition in collaboration with the prestigious Barnes Foundation of Philadelphia. For the very first time, this American institution is lending its masterpieces to the Paris museum, allowing a major collection previously held by the famous art dealer Paul Guillaume to be assembled. This ambitious monograph brings together rare international loans to shed light on the fascinating journey of an artist who challenged the academic codes of his time. Until July 20, 2026, this unprecedented encounter between two historical collections offers a new perspective on the singular modernity of the painter. It is a unique opportunity to admire these legendary canvases brought together in one place, celebrating the creative boldness of an indispensable figure in French painting.