Theodore Rousseau was a French painter born on March 15, 1812, and is best known for his contributions to the Barbizon School, a group of artists who focused on natural landscapes. He played a significant role in the transition from Romanticism to Impressionism, emphasizing the beauty of nature through his detailed and atmospheric works. Rousseau often painted scenes of the French countryside, capturing the changing effects of light and weather. His dedication to plein air painting, or painting outdoors, influenced many artists, including Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro, who later became prominent figures in the Impressionist movement. Rousseau passed away on December 22, 1867.