1885 - 1941

Robert Delaunay was a French artist who worked in an abstract style, usually Cubist or Expressionist based. He founded the style and short-lived movement of Orphism with his wife and fellow abstract artist Sonia Delaunay. The style was epitomised by bright colours, dynamism and  geometric forms juxtaposing with each other. 

Champs de Mars, la Tour Rouge 1911

Champs de Mars, la Tour Rouge is my favourite piece by Delaunay. I love the angles of the buildings surrounding the Eiffel Tower and how the piece seems to crumble and yet stay sturdy all at the same time, thanks to the solidity of the geometric shapes.

The image below is perhaps the type of image most associated with Delaunay’s work. Rings of colour in a jigsaw-like composition create layers of depth to the picture plane. The circles of divided colour seem to follow the movement of the larger circles, emulating the intricate organisation of the inside of a machine. 

Circular Forms 1930