Henri H. Cross Paintings

Henri-Edmond Cross, born Henri-Edmond-Joseph Delacroix, was a French painter and printmaker who played a pivotal role in shaping the second phase of the Neo-Impressionist movement. Born on May 20, 1856, in Douai, a commune in the Nord department in northern France, Cross showed an early interest in the arts. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Lille before moving to Paris in 1881, where he changed his name to Henri Cross to avoid confusion with the famous Romantic artist Eugène Delacroix.

Cross initially worked in the naturalist style, but his work evolved significantly after he discovered the theories of color and optical effects developed by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac. He became a leading figure in the Neo-Impressionist movement, adopting the Divisionist method of painting which involved applying color to the canvas in small dots of pure pigment. This technique was meant to blend colors optically and create a luminous effect on the canvas.

Throughout his life, Cross continued to refine his use of color and experimented with various forms, light, and atmosphere. His subjects often included landscapes, seascapes, and figures in the countryside of southern France, where he moved for health reasons in 1891. The Mediterranean environment greatly influenced his palette, making it brighter and more vibrant. He also became interested in depicting scenes of leisure, aligning with some of the themes popular among the Impressionists.

Cross's health deteriorated due to a severe case of rheumatism, but he remained an active artist until his death. He was a mentor and friend to younger artists, including Henri Matisse, who visited Cross in the South of France. The bold use of color in Cross's later works prefigured Fauvism, a style that Matisse would help develop.

Henri Cross passed away on May 16, 1910, in Saint-Clair, Var, just days before his 54th birthday. His legacy is marked by his contribution to Neo-Impressionism and the influence he had on the generation of artists that followed. Cross's works are exhibited in museums and galleries around the world, celebrating his role in the evolution of modern art.