Landscape with a Plowman

1861

A failed auction and a run of misfortunes

After an unsuccessful auction of his works in 1861, Rousseau contemplated leaving Paris for Amsterdam or London, or even New York. A series of misfortunes followed: his wife's mental health worsened, his aged father came to depend on him for money, his patrons were few, and while he was away with his ill wife a youth living in his home, a friend of the family, committed suicide in his Barbizon cottage.

1863

The Alps: sketches of Mont Blanc and pneumonia

In 1863 Rousseau visited the Alps and made sketches of Mont Blanc, but fell dangerously ill with inflammation of the lungs; back in Barbizon he suffered from insomnia and gradually weakened.

1867

President of the Exposition jury

Rousseau was elected president of the fine-art jury for the Exposition Universelle of 1867; his disappointment at being denied the higher awards may have affected his health.

August 1867

Paralysis and last months

In August 1867 Rousseau was paralysed; he recovered slightly but suffered several further attacks in the autumn, and in November his condition worsened. He died on 22 December (of a heart rupture, by some accounts) in the presence of his lifelong friend Jean-François Millet, who had been much with him in his last years.

7 August 1867 · Award

Officer of the Legion of Honour

22 December 1867

Died