The popular painter is the subject of this new exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay, arriving in Paris after a stint in Venice.

Bewilderingly subtitled Archaic Candour, it places the work of Henri Julien Félix Rousseau in juxtaposition with paintings by Kandinsky, Picasso, Seurat and others in order to show the links between them, and luckily for you the museum is really close to our hotels!

Here’s all the info.

Henri Rousseau’s singular style is immediately recognisable. His paintings adorn respected museums and student bedrooms alike.

For this new exhibition, the Musée d’Orsay has dipped into its collections and raided those of the Orangerie (that it manages), with several additions from museums around the world.

The common thread for the works on display is the titular ‘archaic candour’, whereas many use the word ‘naïve’ to classify the artist’s work (and he considered himself as a realist). The theme is explored by comparing Rousseau’s work with the artists that inspired him.

The exhibition also highlights a number of paradoxes – Rousseau was inspired by the 19th century, but produced resolutely modern work, he produced paintings unlike anything that had been seen before, and yet they fit perfectly into their era. Get ready for a fresh perspective on an artist you thought you knew.

And if you want to further improve your knowledge, an official catalogue is available (280 pages, 42€ here at amazon.fr)

The exhibition Le Douanier Rousseau. L’innocence archaïque (Archaic Candour) is at the Musée d’Orsay (here) from 22nd March – 17th July 2016

Open every day except Sundays from 9.30am – 6pm (9.45pm Thursdays)

Admission: 12€ / 9€

Website: www.musee-orsay.fr

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