Two Women by the Shore by Henri Edmond Cross

Two Women by the Shore (1896) Two Women by the Shore exemplifies Cross's mature Pointillist technique, depicting two female figures relaxing by the Mediterranean coast of Southern France. The composition balances the horizontal expanse of the azure sea with vertical elements of pine trees, creating a harmonious scene bathed in dappled sunlight. Using small, distinct dots of pure color that blend optically when viewed from a distance, Cross creates a luminous quality that captures the region's distinctive light. The painting's brilliant blues, purples, and golds reveal his evolution beyond strict Neo-Impressionism toward a more expressive, emotional use of color that would influence the Fauves.

Medium: Oil on canvas • Movement: Neo-Impressionism/Pointillism • Size: 21.3" x 28.7" (54cm x 73cm) • Location: Musée d'Orsay, Paris

Henri Edmond Cross (1856-1910) Henri Edmond Cross was a French Neo-Impressionist painter and a key figure in the development of Pointillism alongside Georges Seurat and Paul Signac. Born Henri-Edmond-Joseph Delacroix, he adopted the anglicized surname "Cross" early in his career. After beginning with darker, more traditional paintings, Cross embraced the scientific color theories of Pointillism in the late 1880s. His move to the French Riviera in 1891 inspired his signature Mediterranean landscapes with increasingly vibrant palettes and freer brushwork. Cross's later works, with their liberated color and expressive quality, helped bridge Neo-Impressionism and Fauvism, directly influencing younger artists like Henri Matisse and André Derain.

Panel Print
These beautifully detailed panel prints feature a durable matte surface which minimizes reflections. They are printed directly onto a smooth bright white 1/4" panel with a dark gray edge, and then mounted to a hidden frame. This frame makes the print appear to float off the wall providing a clean modern look. They are easy to hang.