Artwork
La Promenade
La Promenade is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Henri Edmond Cross. It dates from 1897 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Henri Edmond Cross’s 1897 work La Promenade is a five‑color lithograph executed on china paper. The print depicts a leisurely stroll through a park, rendered in a palette of pale sky, dark green foliage dotted with blue, and ground tones of yellow and orange. Two figures in light, flowing garments occupy the scene, suggesting a moment of calm movement.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a pair of walkers navigating a verdant landscape, their path winding beneath a lightly clouded sky. The gentle interaction between the figures and their surroundings conveys a sense of tranquil recreation, typical of late‑nineteenth‑century leisure scenes that celebrate the restorative qualities of nature.
Technique & Style
Created through a five‑color lithographic process, the image relies on the smooth surface of china paper to render delicate tonal variations. Cross employs loose, rapid lines that function more as visual gestures than detailed outlines, emphasizing the fleeting effects of light and movement rather than precise representation.
History & Provenance
Printed in 1897, La Promenade reflects Cross’s engagement with the popular print market of the Belle Époque. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has circulated among collectors of French lithography and is cited in catalogues of Cross’s output, illustrating his contribution to the era’s decorative print culture.
Artist & collection
