Henri Edmond Cross

Henri-Edmond Cross, born Henri-Edmond Delacroix on May 20, 1856 in Douai, France, was a prominent representative of Neo-Impressionism, a movement characterized by the use of small, distinctive brushstrokes that appear from a distance merge into a single color field. Cross began his artistic career in the style of realism, but later turned to pointillism under the influence of Georges Seurat and Paul Signac. His fascination with color and light led him to paint luminous landscapes and scenes of rural life that depicted an idyllic and harmonious world.

After retiring to the southern French village of Saint-Clair, Cross developed a brighter and livelier style that distinguished his works from those of his contemporaries. However, his health was a constant battle and he suffered from severe arthritis which affected his ability to paint. Despite his health problems, Cross remained productive and experimented with various media, including watercolors and lithographs. His work influenced later generations of artists, particularly the Fauvists, who admired his vivid colors and free brushwork.

Interesting fact:

Henri-Edmond Cross changed his surname from Delacroix to Cross to avoid confusion with the famous French Romantic painter Eugène Delacroix. This name change also symbolized his break with traditional painting and his move towards more innovative techniques and styles.

Important works of art & images by Henri Edmond Cross:

• "The Afternoon in the Garden" (1891)
• "The Terrace at Saint-Clair" (1896)
• "The Airship" (1898)
• "Cyrus and the Fleet" (1899)
• "The Pink Cloud" (1896)
• "Lavandia, the Harvest" (1902)
• "Venice, the Green Lagoon" (1904)
• "Woman on the Beach" (1896)
• "Regatta in Venice" (1903)
• "The Pine Forest" (1906)