In the painting Around My House by Henri-Edmond Cross, a wide-branching tree is the center of the composition, just as in Signac’s artwork. Cross conveys the poetry of the motif through chromatic color combinations. He tries to avoid the impression of transience that can turn a painting into a study – so typical for impressionists. To accomplish this, the artist uses classic compositional techniques: centered focus, side-scenes, and even a chromatic scale with balanced warm and cold tones. This approach increases the constructiveness of the overall composition. The rational nature of Signac and Cross’s quest transformed neo-impressionism into a doctrine very quickly. At the same time, this trend laid an important basis for new discoveries in European painting, especially in the realm of color.