The poet, writer and critic Guillaume Apollinaire was an influential figure in early twentieth-century artistic circles. For the last few years of Rousseau's life, Apollinaire was one of his staunchest supporters, and wrote in praise of his work. In 1910, shortly before Rousseau exhibited his last great painting The Dream (1910), he appealed to Apollinaire: 'You will unfold your literary talent and avenge me for all the insults and abuse I have experienced.'

Rousseau made two versions of this double portrait of Apollinaire with his mistress Marie Laurencin. He grandly titled it The Muse Inspiring the Poet (1909).

Henri Rousseau The Muse Inspiring the Poet second version 1909 Basel, Õffentliche Kunstsammlung, Kunstmuseum Basel Photo: akg-images/Erich Lessing enlarge

Photo of Marie Laurencin, 1924 by French Photographer, (20th century) Bibliothèque Litteraire Jacques Doucet, Paris, France. Archives Charmet Photo: Bridgeman Art Library enlarge

Portrait photo of Guillaume Apollinaire, c.1910 Photo: akg-images enlarge

Rousseau died in poverty and was buried in a pauper’s grave. Two years later the artists Pablo Picasso and Robert Delaunay, along with Rousseau’s landlord, paid for a new grave. Apollinaire wrote a short poem for the headstone.

Translation of the inscription: We greet you Gentle Rousseau, you hear us Delaunay his wife Monsieur Quával and I Let our baggage pass free through heaven’s gate We’ll bring you brushes, paints and canvases So that you can devote your sacred leisures In the Real light to painting, as you did my portrait, Painting the Face of the stars. Guillaume Apollinaire 1912

Rousseau's grave with poem by Apollinaire Photo: Cliché Musée de Vieux-Château, Laval enlarge