More Jungle Stories

'Henri Rousseau: Jungles in Paris', sponsored by Aviva plc, opens at Tate Modern on 3 November 2005. This is the world of Rousseau's jungle paintings, which had so enthralled the art world since he first sprang to fame in Paris in the 1880s. 'Le Douanier' Rousseau spent much of his professional, Paris-based life, as a customs official, but gained his jungle inspiration from visits to the Jardin des Plantes. In fact, he was raised from obscurity by younger painters who praised the novelty of his work, including Picasso, who greatly admired him, saying that his work was a greater influence on himself than, say, Titian. Rousseau's animals were copied from an illustrated book published in Paris showing 200 wild animals. Don't worry, Jack Vettriano, copying is legit – and you are in good company.