Camille Bombois was a French painter known for his depictions of light-dappled suburban streets, lively circus scenes, and pastoral landscapes. Painted in a self-taught style similar to that of Henri Rousseau, Bombois's mature works employed rich black and greens heightened by bright reds and blues. Born on February 3, 1883 in Venarey-les-Laumes, France, Bombois attended school until the age of 12 before becoming a farm laborer. As an adult he joined a traveling circus and performed as a strong man and wrestler, later settling in Paris where he began to paint. While in Paris, he was discovered by the art dealer Wilhelm Uhde, who helped promote his career. The artist died on June 6, 1970 in Paris, France. Today, Bombois's works are held in the collections of The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, and the Musé e Maillol in Paris, among others.
