Artwork
Valley with Fir (Shade on the Mountain)
Valley with Fir (Shade on the Mountain) is an oil painting by the Neo-Impressionist artist Henri Edmond Cross. It dates from 1909 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Executed in oil on canvas in 1909 by Henri-Edmond Cross, the work exemplifies his late landscape production, emphasizing natural forms and atmospheric light.
Valley with Fir (Shade on the Mountain) portrays a tranquil valley with a fir tree set against a shaded hillside. Executed in oil on canvas in 1909 by Henri-Edmond Cross, the work exemplifies his late landscape production, emphasizing natural forms and atmospheric light. The composition centers on the fir tree within an expansive, softly rendered terrain, underscoring the artist's interest in landscape as subject matter.
The painting is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, having come from the Robert Lehman Collection, and is catalogued as an early twentieth-century landscape.
Technique & Style
Valley with Fir (Shade on the Mountain) is executed in oil paint on canvas. The work measures 73.7 by 90.2 centimeters, in a horizontal orientation that accommodates the broad sweep of the valley. As a landscape from Cross's late period, it reflects his Neo-Impressionist handling, with color applied in small, distinct touches to render the fir tree and surrounding terrain rather than blended in traditional academic fashion.
The painting is held in the Robert Lehman Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Specific condition notes are not documented in the available sources.
History & Provenance
Valley with Fir (Shade on the Mountain) is an oil painting on canvas created by Henri-Edmond Cross in 1909. The work depicts a landscape featuring trees. It was formerly held by Robert Lehman and is now part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The painting measures 73.7 centimeters in height and 90.2 centimeters in width. Commission details are not recorded, but the piece is firmly dated to 1909, marking it as a work from the final years of Cross's life.
Overview
Henri Edmond Cross created Valley with Fir (Shade on the Mountain) in 1909 using oil paint. This landscape exemplifies his mature Neo-Impressionist style, characterized by a prominent fir tree and a vibrant palette. The work reflects his contribution to the movement's later phase, where structured application of color built serene, atmospheric scenes. It is currently housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Legacy
Henri Edmond Cross's innovative approach to color and form extended beyond Neo-Impressionism, significantly influencing subsequent artistic developments. His structured yet vibrant technique resonated with younger artists, notably contributing to the emergence of Fauvism. Figures such as Henri Matisse drew inspiration from Cross's methods, adapting his bold use of color and expressive brushwork to forge new directions in modern art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henri-Edmond Cross (French:; 20 May 1856 – 16 May 1910), born Henri-Edmond-Joseph Delacroix (), was a French painter and printmaker.
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