Flamenco dancer 1916

‘Flamenco Dancer’, a 1916 oil painting by the French artist Sonia Delaunay (1885-1979) is a riot of colour and energy. What emotions do you feel when looking at this vibrant piece? 🌈 Sonia Delaunay was the first living female artist to have a dedicated exhibition at the Louvre. She was a key figure in the Parisian art scene at the dawn of the twentieth century, and pioneered Orphism. Orphism was an abstract art movement which emphasised bright colours and the sensory aspects of painting. This oil painting exemplifies Delaunay’s style of geometric abstraction. It depicts a woman in movement, as reinforced by the dynamic swirls of bold colour. Her skirt consists of circular forms which create a sense of energy – although motionless, we imagine her in a spirited and flamboyant dance across the canvas. We can almost hear the lively music of Spanish flamenco! 💃 Delaunay is perhaps best known for her fashion design, which brought her art into the everyday realm. Just like her paintings, her clothes emphasised the relationship between movement and colour. The artist invented a new style of gown which she called ‘simultaneous dresses’. These were divided into sections of colour for maximum visual effect when the wearer walked or danced. 🎨 Editor: Lucy Jude Grantham