Iphis was painted by Robert Delaunay in 1779.

Where can I see Iphis?

Iphis is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Iphis?

Iphis is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Iphis

Robert Delaunay , 1779

Iphis is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Delaunay. It dates from 1779 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Iphis is an etching and engraving print created in 1779, attributed to Robert Delaunay, although the work's style and date suggest a potential misattribution given Delaunay's known association with 20th-century Orphism.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene yet urgently gesturing figure in a toga, pointing towards a small altar with flickering flames and smoke, evoking a sense of dramatic intensity.

Technique & Style

Executed with sharp, clean lines and no blurring, the work utilizes chiaroscuro, contrasting light and dark to create depth, reminiscent of traditional printmaking techniques and stylistic elements common in the era of its creation.

History & Provenance

The attribution to Robert Delaunay is anomalous due to the 1779 date, predating Delaunay's active period and Orphism by centuries, suggesting a possible error in attribution or an outlier in the artist's oeuvre if correctly attributed.

Context

Despite the attribution issue, the piece aligns with 18th-century European printmaking traditions, potentially linking to artistic circles of that time, rather than the School of Paris or Orphism as might be expected with Delaunay.

Artist & collection

Artist

Robert Delaunay

Robert Delaunay was a French artist of the School of Paris movement; who, with his wife Sonia Delaunay and others, co-founded the Orphism art movement, noted for its use of strong colours and geometric shapes.