How did the works of Henri Rousseau contribute to the development of Post-Impressionism?

Henri Rousseau was a French painter known for his naïve, or primitive, style that often depicted exotic landscapes and animals. His works were initially ridiculed by the French art establishment but later gained recognition for their imaginative qualities and contributions to the development of Post-Impressionism.

Post-Impressionism is an art movement that emerged in the late 19th century as a response to the limitations of Impressionism. While Impressionists aimed to capture the effects of light and color in their works, Post-Impressionists focused on the underlying structure, form, and meaning of art.

Rousseau's use of flat, decorative patterns, bright colors, and stylized forms influenced Post-Impressionist artists like Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso. His works were particularly admired for their sense of mystery, exoticism, and primitivism, which reflected a growing interest in non-Western cultures and artistic traditions.

Rousseau's unconventional approach to art-making and his use of vivid imagination and symbolism paved the way for Post-Impressionist artists to explore new forms of expression and subject matter beyond the limitations of Impressionism.