Patrick Bade
Sonia Delaunay
Summary
Exploring the life and work of Ukrainian-born French artist Sonia Delaunay who became a leading figure in abstract and decorative art in the early 20th century. Best known for her use of vibrant color, bold patterns, and geometric shapes, Delaunay was the first woman to win the Grand Prize for Painting at the Venice Biennale in 1964.
Patrick Bade
Patrick Bade is a historian, writer, and broadcaster. He studied at UCL and the Courtauld Institute of Art. He was a senior lecturer at Christie’s Education for many years and has worked for the Art Fund, Royal Opera House, National Gallery, and V&A. He has published on 19th- and early 20th-century paintings and historical vocal recordings. His latest book is Music Wars: 1937–1945.
They certainly overlap, but Paris, although it’s a very, very small city and you could meet people in cafes. Not that I think that Edith Wharton would’ve spent much time in cafes or not the kind of cafes that Sonia, and Robert Delaunay did. My guess is I that it’s not impossible that they could have met but I think they moved in very, very different circles.
Well most of the pavilions were dismantled, but there are two great building complexes. Palais de l'Air and Le Palais de Tokyo, that were completely constructed or reconstructed for the 1937 Fair, and they still exist. The wonderful Museum of Modern Art of the city of Paris, which is under-visited, you know, it’s not really on the tourist trail in the way that the the Orsay and the Pompidou are, that is in a building that was created for the 1937 World’s Fair.
Yes, Bakst certainly did, for several operas. And he also designed some of the Ballets Russe things were given at the Paris Opera. So yes. And also some of the ballets, non-Diaghilev ballets, that were first staged at the Paris Opera, Bakst designed. I’m not sure whether Sonia ever did anything at the Palais de l'Air, my favourite museum.