Henri Rousseau is a well known artist that never knew fame when he was alive. He lived from 1844 to 1910. A part-time painter, he earned his living as a customs officer in France. His exotic jungle paintings were as elaborate as the stories he made up about traveling to the "jungles of Mexico," the supposed inspiration for his paintings. Even though he fabricated his experiences, Rousseau's paintings became very popular after his death. His most famous painting is The Sleeping Gypsy. Click on the painting below to go to Rousseau's Gallery.