Rousseau, Henri Timeline: Art of the Fantastic Rousseau, Henri, known as Le Douanier Rousseau (1844-1910). French painter, the most celebrated of na ve artists. His nickname refers to the job he held with the Paris Customs Office (1871-93), although he never actually rose to the rank of `Douanier' (Customs Officer). Before this he had served in the army, and he later claimed to have seen service ...