Burda Style For people who sew

Whether you are or are not familiar with artist Sonia Delaunay (November 14, 1885 – December 5, 1979), you are in for a treat. A forerunner of the Orphism Movement, Delaunay’s body of work spans from paintings in bright, bold Cubist colors to textile and set design. Thanks to the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, who recently housed a Delaunay exhibit, we can show those who can’t come to New York City an insider’s view of the retrospective!

Sonia Delaunay was the first living female artist to have a retrospective at the Louvre in 1964.



Sonia Delaunay in her studio at boulevard Malesherbes, Paris, France, 1925
Photographed by Germaine Krull (German, 1897–1985)
Bibliothèque Nationale de France
© L & M SERVICES B.V. The Hague 20100623


Design B53
Designed by Sonia Delaunay (French, born Russia, 1885–1979)
France, 1924
Gouache on paper
Private collection
© L & M SERVICES B.V. The Hague 20100623
Photo: © private collection



Model wearing coat designed by Sonia Delaunay, 1926–27
Bibliothèque Nationale de France
© L & M SERVICES B.V. The Hague 20100623



Design 253
Designed by Sonia Delaunay (French, born Russia, 1885–1979)
France, 1928–30
Gouache, ink, and pencil on paper
Private collection
© L & M SERVICES B.V. The Hague 20100623
Photo: © private collection



Still photo from the film Le P’tit Parigot
Written by Paul Cartoux
Directed by René Le Somptier
France, 1926
Collection of Antoine Blanchette
© L & M SERVICES B.V. The Hague 20100623



Rythme Coloré (Colored Rhythm)
Sonia Delaunay (French, born Russia, 1885–1979)
France, 1946
Oil on canvas
Private collection
© L & M SERVICES B.V. The Hague 20100623
Photo: © private collection



Bathing suit
Designed by Sonia Delaunay (French, born Russia, 1885–1979)
France, ca. 1928
Knitted wool
Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris, Musée Galliera, GAL 1971.24.7
© L & M SERVICES B.V. The Hague 20100623



Robe poème no. 1328
Designed by Sonia Delaunay (French, born Russia, 1885–1979)
France, 1923
Watercolor, gouache, and pencil on paper
Museum of Modern Art, New York 304.1980
© L & M SERVICES B.V. The Hague 20100623
Photo: © The Museum of Modern Art/ Licensed by SCALA/ Art Resource, NY



Dress
Designed by Sonia Delaunay
(French, born Russia, 1885-1979)
France, 1925-28
Printed silk satin with metallic embrodiery
Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris, Musée Galliera, GAL 1970.58.31
© L & M SERVICES B.V. The Hague 20100623



Bathing suit (tunic)
Designed by Sonia Delaunay (French, born Russia, 1885–1979)
France, 1924–25
Silk embroidery on wool jersey
Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes, Mulhouse, 980.629.1
© L & M SERVICES B.V. The Hague 20100623



Set of five fabric samples, Design 945
Designed by Sonia Delaunay (French, born Russia, 1885–1979)
Produced by Metz & Co
France, 1929–30
Printed silk
Private collection
© L & M SERVICES B.V. The Hague 20100623
Photo: © private collection



Tissu simultané no. 186
Designed by Sonia Delaunay (French, born Russia, 1885–1979)
France, 1926
Block-printed cotton
Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes, Mulhouse, 980.549.17
© L & M SERVICES B.V. The Hague 20100623