Biography

Henry Cros (Narbonne 1849 - 1907 Sèvres)

Pioneer of the Pate de Verre of the modern era.

Like his contemporaries or successors, Henry Cross initially engaged in sculpture and plaques made of traditional materials.

Henry was one of three sons of the philosopher Simon Charles Henri Cros. He received a classical education, which very early aroused his curiosity and love for antiquity. He studied painting at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, among other places. At the age of 21, he exhibited his first sculptural works - still made from plaster, terracotta and wax - in Paris. He aspired, however, to create luminous, multicolored sculptures, Egyptian- and ancient Greek-inspired glass works, such as he was able to study in the Musée du Louvre. Around 1882, he began to make his first experiments with pâte de verre. Around the same time, he also dabbed with encaustic and color photography. In the course of time, he regularly participated in exhibitions of contemporary artisans in Paris. The ceramics shown there would eventually lead - years later - to the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres giving him a larger kiln around 1893. The move to Sèvres was complete by 1895 at the latest, when Cros moved into his new domicile in a former windmill. That same year, he was inducted into the Legion of Honor. Cros kept his recipe for making pâte de verre top secret, sharing his knowledge only with his son and successor Jean (1884-1932). Henry died in Sèvres in 1907.

His Pâte de Verre objects were presented at some of the most important exhibitions in France since 1885. For example, he exhibited 'La Source et le Soleil' at the Paris Salon in 1885. In 1889 he participated in the World's Fair in Paris, as well as in 1900, where he received a gold medal. And last, 'La tête de Méduse' was on display at the 1906 Salon.

We regularly sell objects by Henry Cros in our auctions. If you would like to sell your objects, our experts are always at your disposal.

Literature: Daum, La pâte de verre, Paris 1984, p. 59 ff.