Study for 'Le Ranelagh' 1899

Henri-Edmond Cross created this study for ‘Le Ranelagh’ with watercolor and pencil during a time when Paris was rapidly transforming, both socially and physically. Cross was part of the Neo-Impressionist movement, a group of artists who were interested in capturing the fleeting moments of modern life through the lens of scientific color theory. This work captures a public garden, a space where different social classes mingled, embodying the democratic ideals of the era, while also exposing underlying social stratification. The dappled light and loose brushwork evoke a sense of leisure. The figures in the foreground seem absorbed in their own worlds, while those in the background engage in animated conversation. In its depiction of contemporary life, ‘Le Ranelagh’ also prompts us to consider who had the privilege to enjoy such spaces.