The Muse Inspiring the Poet
Henri Rousseau · 1909
Why it's great
A tall woman in a pink gown points toward a poet, as they stand in a jungle clearing with blooming flowers. Rousseau painted his friend, the poet Guillaume Apollinaire, with a muse. The flat, magical garden is a work of fantasy. It's one of his last paintings.
Where to see it
📍 Kunstmuseum BaselBasel, Switzerland
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Henri Rousseau was born in Laval, France, and worked as a tax-and-toll collector, earning the nickname 'Le Douanier' (the customs officer). He taught himself to paint and began exhibiting in his forties. His jungle scenes, painted from visits to the Paris botanical garden, were mocked at first but later admired by Picasso and others. He died in Paris in 1910.
