Born in Venarey-les-Laumes, France, Camille Bombois worked as a laborer, circus strongman, and railway worker before dedicating himself to painting. He gained recognition in the 1920s after being discovered by art critic Wilhelm Uhde, who championed his self-taught, intuitive approach to composition and color.

His work is characterized by a distinctively robust style, often featuring bold outlines and a heightened sense of realism applied to fantastical or everyday subjects. He is particularly noted for his circus scenes, which capture the physical intensity and theatricality of the performers he encountered during his earlier life.

Bombois remains a significant figure within the naïve art movement, with his works held in major institutional collections. His paintings continue to be studied for their technical precision and their unique perspective on early 20th-century French life.