Henri Edmond Cross (born Henri Edmond Delacroix) was born on 20th May 1856 in Douai. In 1876, he began studying law in Lille, and simultaneously attended the art academy.

Two years later, he moved to Paris and devoted himself to painting in Francis Bonvin's studio. Henri Edmond Cross regularly exhibited at the Paris Salon. Cross' early work was characterised by his use of dark, heavy colours, which became brighter under Claude Monet and Georges Seurat's influence. In 1884, he founded the “Salon des Indépendants” together with Signac and Seurat.

Around 1890, Henri Edmond Cross. painting became distinguished by his use of the Neo-impressionist Pointillist style. Henri Edmond Cross' landscapes, nudes, and portraits are characterised by generous brush strokes and bright, clear colours. Henri Edmond Cross was one of the foremost representatives of French Pointillism. His later works show a significantly softer brushstroke and smoother transitions between techniques.

Henri Edmond Cross died in St-Clair on 16th May 1910.
(The portrait at right is a self-portrait, painted in 1890. It is titled Self-Portrait with Cigarette.)