L'air du soir

1890s

Meets Fénéon, Gide and Verhaeren

In the 1890s he works alongside Signac and gets to know the writers and critics Félix Fénéon, André Gide and Emile Verhaeren.

1891

Turns to Neo-Impressionism

In 1891 he begins painting in the Neo-Impressionist style and shows his first large piece in this technique at an Indépendants exhibition — a divisionist portrait of Madame Hector France, née Irma Clare.

1891

Moves to the south of France because of rheumatism

Having wintered in the south for years, he moves there for good in 1891 because of rheumatism. He lives first in Cabasson near Le Lavandou, then settles nearby in the small hamlet of Saint-Clair, where he stays for the rest of his life, leaving only for Italy and for the annual Indépendants exhibitions in Paris.

1892

Signac settles nearby: gatherings in Cross’s garden

His friend Paul Signac moves to nearby Saint-Tropez; in Cross’s garden they often host gatherings attended by Henri Matisse, André Derain and Albert Marquet.

1893

Married: Irma Clare

c. 1895

Moves from Pointillism to a mosaic-like brushstroke

From about 1895 he gradually changes his technique: instead of tiny dots, broad blocky brushstrokes with small areas of bare canvas left between them. The surfaces resemble mosaics, and such paintings are seen as precursors of Fauvism and Cubism.