Artwork
Un arbre
Un arbre is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Henri Edmond Cross. It dates from 1906 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1906, *Un arbre* is an oil painting by French artist Henri‑Edmond Cross. Executed during the later phase of Neo‑Impressionism, the work now belongs to the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich. It presents a tranquil landscape dominated by a solitary tree, rendered with the characteristic color harmonies of the period.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a lone tree whose branches extend toward the left edge, rooted on a gently sloping hillside. Behind it a calm body of water meets a softly curving horizon, while the sky above blends pale blues and whites. The juxtaposition of earth tones and cool water suggests a quiet dialogue between land and sky.
Technique & Style
Cross employs visible, stippled brushwork that creates a textured surface, a hallmark of his Neo‑Impressionist approach. Warm, earthy hues dominate the foreground, contrasting with the cooler blues of the water and atmosphere. The palette and brushstroke technique convey both the vibrancy of natural light and the structural rhythm typical of his later works.
History & Provenance
Henri‑Edmond Cross, born Henri‑Edmond‑Joseph Delacroix in 1856, produced *Un arbre* amid his mature period. After changing his name, he became a leading figure in the second wave of Neo‑Impressionism. The painting entered the Kunsthaus Zürich’s holdings in the 20th century, where it remains part of the museum’s permanent collection.
Context
Cross’s work bridges the pointillist experiments of early Neo‑Impressionism and the emerging bold color fields that would later influence Fauvism. His emphasis on luminous color and systematic brushwork informed younger artists, notably Henri Matisse, who drew on Cross’s treatment of light and chromatic balance in developing their own avant‑garde vocabularies.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henri-Edmond Cross (French: ; 20 May 1856 – 16 May 1910), born Henri-Edmond-Joseph Delacroix (), was a French painter and printmaker.
