Sonia Delaunay

1885-1979, Ukranian/French

Born in Odessa, Sonia Delaunay's bold use of color and abstraction helped shape 20th-century modernism. A co-founder of the Orphism movement, she developed the concept of simultané, a theory of color harmony rooted in contrast and rhythm, alongside her husband, artist Robert Delaunay.

Delaunay worked across painting, textiles, fashion, and stage design, seamlessly blending fine art with the applied arts. Her Paris-based Atelier Simultané became a hub for innovation, producing garments and interiors that reflected the dynamism of modern life. Notable collaborations included designs for the Ballets Russes and the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs.

In 1967, she became the first living female artist honored with a retrospective at the Musée National d’Art Moderne. Today, her work is held in major collections worldwide, including MoMA and the Centre Pompidou. Delaunay remains a key figure in modern art history—celebrated for her visionary fusion of color, movement, and design.