Study for "Underneath the Cork Oaks" 1903 - 1913

Henri-Edmond Cross made this study for "Underneath the Cork Oaks" using watercolor and graphite on paper. The visible graphite under-drawing gives us a glimpse into Cross’s artistic process. You can see how he mapped out the composition before adding layers of color. Notice how the watercolor has a fluid, almost translucent quality, allowing the white of the paper to shine through, creating a sense of light and air. Cross was very interested in light, influenced by Impressionism, and later playing a key role in developing Pointillism. Before the advent of photography, studies like this were crucial for artists to capture fleeting moments and test out compositions. It's a tangible record of the artist's labor, not just in applying paint, but in observing and interpreting the world around him. Cross's study invites us to appreciate the importance of process and the ways in which materials and techniques shape our understanding of art.