Henri-Edmond Cross (born Henri-Edmond Delacroix) was born on the 20th of May 1856 in Douai. In 1876, he began studying law in Lille, and simultaneously attended the art academy. Two years later, he moved to Paris and devoted himself to painting in Francis Bonvin's studio. Henri Edmond Cross regularly exhibited at the Paris Salon. Cross' early work was characterised by his use of dark, heavy colours, which became brighter under Claude Monet and Georges Seurat's influence. In 1884, he founded the "Salon des Indépendants" together with Signac and Seurat. Around 1890, Henri-Edmond Cross' painting became discernible because of his unique use of the Neo-impressionist Pointillist style. The artist's landscapes, nudes and portraits were characterised by generous brush strokes and bright, clear colours. Henri-Edmond Cross was one of the foremost representatives of French Pointillism. His later works show a significantly softer brushstroke and smoother transitions between techniques. He died in St-Clair on the 16th of May 1910.
