Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

"Marine Scene (Boats near Venice)" by Henri Edmond Cross captures the tranquility and vibrant beauty of the Venetian lagoon, a testament to the artist's mastery in depicting light and color. The painting portrays a serene, sunlit scene where sailboats gently float on the shimmering waters. The horizon is obscured by the distant silhouette of Venice, its iconic architecture faintly visible against the radiant sky.

Cross utilizes a pointillist technique, a hallmark of his stylistic evolution influenced by Neo-Impressionism. The canvas is filled with vibrant, meticulously placed dots of color that coalesce to form a luminous, almost ethereal vision. The sky is a tapestry of pastel hues—soft pinks, blues, and purples—reflecting the subtle transitions of light as the sun arcs across the sky. The water mirrors these colors but adds its own dynamic interplay of light, accentuated by the gentle ripples created by the boats.

The sailboats themselves are depicted with precision, their sails filled with a gentle breeze. The boats vary in size and orientation, creating a rhythmic composition that guides the viewer's eye across the canvas. Cross’s attention to the reflections on the water underscores his commitment to capturing the natural environment's intricacies, enhancing the painting's serene atmosphere.

Artist and Historical Context:

Henri Edmond Cross, born Henri-Edmond-Joseph Delacroix in Douai, France, in 1856, was a pivotal figure in the Neo-Impressionist movement. After studying in Lille and then in Paris, Cross became closely associated with the artists of the Société des Artistes Indépendants, through which he encountered Georges Seurat and Paul Signac. These encounters were instrumental in shaping his artistic direction towards pointillism, a technique typified by the methodical application of discrete color dots that, when viewed from a distance, blend seamlessly.

"Marine Scene (Boats near Venice)" is emblematic of Cross's mature style, which prioritizes light and color's optical effects over strict adherence to naturalistic details. His works are characterized by an almost idyllic sense of calm, often depicting serene landscapes and seascapes that invite quiet contemplation. This painting, in particular, showcases his ability to evoke atmosphere and mood through color harmony and precise brushwork.

Provenance and Current Location:

The original painting "Marine Scene (Boats near Venice)" is a prized piece within the collection of the The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. It is celebrated not only for its aesthetic beauty but also for its contribution to the understanding of Neo-Impressionism as a significant art historical movement. Cross's work exemplifies the synthesis of scientific rigor in color theory with an emotional and autobiographical expression of the natural world.

Noteworthy Details:

- Technique: Pointillism, characterized by the use of small, distinct dots of color applied in patterns to form an image.
- Color Palette: A vibrant spectrum dominated by luminous pastels, evoking the serene and radiant quality of Venice’s coastal light.
- Composition: Balanced with thoughtful placement of sailboats, creating a dynamic yet harmonious visual rhythm.
- Light and Atmosphere: Exemplifies Cross’s fascination with light’s effects on color and atmosphere, which is particularly poignant in his seascapes and landscapes.

In summary, "Marine Scene (Boats near Venice)" stands as a quintessential example of Henri Edmond Cross's contribution to Neo-Impressionism, illustrating his adept use of technique and color to render a scene that is both scientifically constructed and emotionally evocative.