Artwork
In the Park
In the Park is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Henri Edmond Cross. It dates from 1883 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Henri Edmond Cross produced the color lithograph titled In the Park in 1883. The work presents an outdoor leisure scene populated by two figures, set against a verdant backdrop of trees and grass. The composition conveys a quiet, contemplative atmosphere through its restrained palette and careful arrangement of elements.
Subject & Meaning
At the forefront stands a woman in a long dress and hat, while a gentleman in a suit and top hat appears farther back. Their placement suggests a casual encounter within a public garden, emphasizing the social rituals of late‑19th‑century urban recreation. The tranquil setting invites reflection on the leisurely pace of park life.
Technique & Style
Cross employs a pointillist approach, applying minute dots of color to build form and tone. Muted blues, greens, and yellows dominate, producing subtle shifts in light and depth. Executed as a lithographic print, the method allows the delicate stippling to be reproduced with consistent fidelity across copies.
History & Provenance
Created in 1883, In the Park belongs to the period when Cross was exploring Neo‑Impressionist techniques. The lithograph was issued shortly after its completion and circulated among collectors interested in the emerging pointillist aesthetic. Its provenance traces through several private collections before entering a public institution in the early twentieth century.
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