Art Term

Orphism

Orphism was an abstract, cubist influenced painting style developed by Robert and Sonia Delaunay around 1912

Robert Delaunay
Endless Rhythm (1934)
Tate

In the Delaunays’ work patches of subtle and beautiful colour are brought together to create harmonious compositions.

The term, sometimes called orphic cubism, was coined around 1912–13 by the French poet and art critic Guillaume Apollinaire and used to distinguish their work from cubism generally. The name comes from the legendary ancient Greek poet and musician Orpheus. Its use by Apollinaire relates to the idea that painting should be like music, which was an important element in the development of abstract art. Robert Delaunay himself used the term simultanism to describe his work.

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related terms and concepts

  • Simultanism

    Term invented by artist Robert Delaunay to describe the abstract painting developed by him and his wife Sonia Delaunay from about 1910

  • Réalités nouvelles

    The Salon des Réalités nouvelles (new realities) was an exhibiting society devoted to pure abstract art founded in Paris in 1939

  • Abstract art

    Abstract art is art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality but instead uses shapes, colours, forms and gestural marks to achieve its effect

  • Complementary colours

    Complementary colours are pairs of colours that contrast with each other more than any other colour, and when placed side-by-side make each other look brighter

explore this term

Left Right
  • wearing the Pierrot-Éclair costume designed by Sonia Delaunay, on the set of René Le Somptier’s film Le P’tit Parigot 1926

    'We will go right up to the sun'

    Juliet Bingham

    An important figure in the Parisian avant-garde, Sonia Delaunay (1885–1979) brought extraordinary inventiveness to a range of works, which celebrated the modern age in all its guises. Over a 60-year period she created groundbreaking paintings, textiles and clothes, as well as collaborating with poets, choreographers and manufacturers. This spring Tate Modern presents her first UK retrospective. The curator of the exhibition introduces her work

  • Sonia Delaunay Electric Prisms 1913

    The multi-talented Delaunay

    Sheila Hicks

    During her long and fruitful life Sonia Delaunay (1885–1979) became a key figure within Parisian avant-garde circles as well as an important abstract artist. Her work across an extraordinary range of disciplines, including painting, textiles and fashion, saw her collaborate with poets, choreographers and manufacturers. In our second series of articles on the artist, Tate Etc. asked a fellow artist to talk about her long admiration for Delaunay

  • Sonia Delaunay, Design 965, created for Metz & Co, 1930

    Pure explosions of finesse

    Duro Olowu

    In our second series of articles on Sonia Delaunay, Tate Etc. asked a fashion designer to talk about his long admiration for the artist

selected artists in the collection

orphism at tate

  • Sonia Delaunay website banner

    Tate Modern
    Exhibition

    The EY Exhibition: Sonia Delaunay

    15 Apr – 9 Aug 2015

    This is the first UK retrospective to assess the breadth of Sonia Delaunay's vibrant artistic practice across a wide range of media. Tate Modern, 15 April – 9 August 2015

  • Tate Liverpool Chagall exhibition banner updated

    Tate Liverpool + RIBA North
    Exhibition

    Chagall: Modern Master

    8 Jun – 6 Oct 2013

    Chagall: Modern Master exhibition at Tate Liverpool 8 June – 6 October 2013 brings together paintings and works on paper from across the world

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