Henri Rousseau as Orchestra Conductor 

Henri Rousseau painted this image of himself as an orchestra conductor in France. Here, Rousseau, who was largely self-taught, depicts himself as a conductor, a symbol of control and authority. Born into a modest family, Rousseau navigated the rigid social structures of 19th-century France. He took a post as a toll collector to make ends meet, but was an active artist in his free time. His naïve style, characterized by its dreamlike quality and lack of formal training, both fascinated and perplexed the Parisian art world. Rousseau challenged the established norms of the French art academy, whose gatekeeping processes determined who could be considered a successful artist. His work spoke to the values of the Salon des Indépendants, an exhibiting society open to artists without formal ties to the French academy. The interpretation of art relies on understanding its social and institutional context. Examining archival documents, exhibition reviews, and other historical materials helps us understand its significance and cultural impact.