Art Movements in History: Orphism

 

Baby Blanket (1911), Sophia Delaunay

   I’ve taught hundreds of students throughout the years.  Whenever I ask a class about their favorite type of art, I always have several to respond, “Abstract!”  While I may not share this creative sentiment, I do love a good abstract piece.  There is something about the freedom of movement and color, that draws the viewer in, and gives him permission to get lost in the world it creates.  That being said, not all abstract art is created equal and I tend to favor some types over others.  This is the case when it comes to the Orphism movement.  

NOTE TO THE READER:  Things are about to get boring; but, hang with me for a couple of paragraphs, until we can muddle through to the other side, and as I attempt to prove my point about abstract art—hopefully changing (or reinforcing) your view of this moving art style.

     Before considering Orphism, which originated in France around 1910, it is important to understand the meaning behind “abstract” art. Some may look at this art and falsely judge it as “easy” to create.  However, it is much more than haphazard strokes on a canvas or randomly placed shapes.  The Tate Museum has the following to say about the genre:

“Abstract art is art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality but instead uses shades, colors, forms, and gestural marks to achieve its effect.”

With this definition in mind, we can delve further into the influences of the Orphism movement. 

    Orphism pulls upon several popular ideals from the early twentieth century. When looking at the piece by Sonia Delaunay, at the top of this post, it is easy to see how Cubism, with its use of geometric shapes, had an impact on the movement.  Seen in the piece below by Robert Delaunay, Neo-impressionism has also been sampled, in the artist’s use of juxtaposition to force the viewer to optically blend colors.  Additionally, a purposeful symbolism creates ideas throughout, with shapes and symbols.   

    Wait, a minute!  Hold up…does this all sound a bit technical and complicated?  Well, it is.  

The City of Paris (1911), Robert Delaunay

    As previously stated, abstract art IS more than haphazard lines and random shapes.  Artists in the Orphism movement even leaned upon philosophical theories of the day, like those of Henri Bergson— allowing them to be more concerned about immediate experience and intuition when creating their art.  According to The Art Story, 

“Orphism brought together contemporary theories of philosophy and color to create works that immersed the viewer in dynamic expanses of rhythmic form and chromatic scales.”

     As you can see, Orphism, like its abstract counterparts, required thought and purpose when creating harmony.  

    Have you ever said to someone, who is a master in their field, ‘you make that look easy’?  Abstract artists are brilliant in their processes.  As a result, they “make it look easy.”  The product of their thoughts is what makes so many of my students want to mimic their accomplishments.  It is also the reason why I get so frustrated when trying to recreate their respective processes…it isn’t as easy as it looks.

    Unfortunately, around the onset of World War I, in 1914, the Orphism movement began to fade.  Thankfully, we are the benefactors of these master creators, as we enjoy the beauty they have left to us: art, that was created through experience and intuition— so skillfully pieced together with the magical harmony of color, shape, and line.  There is little wonder why Guillaume Apollinaire, a French poet and art critic, named the movement after the Greek musician, Orpheus.  Orphism truly is music masquerading as art.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 

(‭II Corinthians‬ ‭3‬‬:‭17‬)