Henry Cros French, 1840-1907

This drawing reveals Henry Cros' meticulous approach to composition and his vision for the translucent, watercolor-like tonalities that would characterize his finished glass works.

Cros' drawings served as essential preparatory studies for his sculptures in polychrome wax and, later, pâte de verre (glass paste). He employed various techniques throughout his career, progressing from graphite and brown ink in his early sketchbooks to refined watercolors for his mature glass paste projects. Through these detailed preliminary studies, he captured both form and color with precision.

The artist's graphic work remained largely private during his lifetime, known primarily to close associates such as the poet Paul Verlaine. The full scope of his drawings was revealed to the public only after his death through retrospective exhibitions in 1908 and 1922. Today, these studies provide invaluable insight into Cros's creative process, bridging his dual roles as sculptor and colorist while documenting his evolution from polychrome wax to his groundbreaking pâte de verre technique.