Henri Edmond Cross – The Concorde Square during the World Exposition, 1900 Sotheby’s

The watercolor depicts a bustling urban scene centered around a monumental architectural structure. Here we observe a wide plaza, likely a significant public space given the scale and grandeur of its features. Dominating the composition is an elaborate pavilion or gateway, rendered in muted blues and greens with touches of yellow suggesting sunlight filtering through its arched openings. This structure appears to be the focal point of a larger exposition or celebration, judging by the surrounding activity and the presence of tall obelisks flanking it on either side.
The plaza itself is populated with figures engaged in various activities: some stroll leisurely, others appear to be waiting for transportation – a horse-drawn carriage is visible on the left – and still others are clustered near a fountain situated to the right of the central pavilion. The artist’s brushwork is loose and impressionistic; details are suggested rather than meticulously rendered, creating a sense of movement and vibrancy within the scene.
The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing blues, greens, yellows, and touches of brown and grey. This limited range contributes to an overall atmosphere of subdued elegance and reinforces the feeling of a transient moment captured in time. The light appears diffused, suggesting either overcast conditions or a deliberate choice by the artist to soften the visual impact.
Subtly embedded within this depiction is a commentary on modernity and progress. The presence of the exposition pavilion signifies technological advancement and international collaboration. The carriage, while representing traditional transportation, exists alongside the implied presence of more modern forms of conveyance that would have been associated with the era. The sheer number of people populating the plaza suggests a society embracing leisure and public engagement – a hallmark of burgeoning urban life at the turn of the century.
The artist’s choice to depict this scene in watercolor lends it an air of immediacy and spontaneity, as if the viewer is witnessing a fleeting glimpse into a pivotal moment in history. The lack of sharp definition and the emphasis on atmospheric effects contribute to a sense of nostalgia and evoke the ephemeral nature of grand events.