“Green needles on the Cross Javernaz” is an artwork by Henri Matisse, created in 1901 and attributed to the Impressionism movement. The landscape painting measures 36 x 48 cm and presently resides in the Musée Picasso in Paris, France.
The artwork depicts a mountainous landscape, characterized by broad, textured brushstrokes that communicate the essence of the natural terrain rather than delving into meticulous detail. The foreground features a series of vertical forms that suggest the presence of trees, rendered in dark hues that stand in contrast to the lighter, more vibrant patches that may represent grass or a meadow. Beyond this natural foreground element, the middle ground softly transitions into the mountains, using muted purples and blues that evoke a sense of depth and distance.
The sky, filled with billowing clouds rendered in white and pale blue, dominates the upper portion of the canvas, providing a dramatic backdrop to the subdued earthen tones of the mountains and vegetation below. The loose and fluid brushwork typical of Impressionist works is evident, capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. As a result, the artwork conveys an impression of the natural landscape rather than an exact reproduction, inviting viewers to experience the scene’s mood and ambiance.
