Reminiscence of a Cathedral

Description

Active in Paris, František Kupka developed a unique approach to abstraction influenced by his interests in music and spirituality. In this style of painting, known as Orphism, simultaneous color contrasts are equivalent to musical pitches. Kupka also painted abstract work as a means to visualize Theosophy—a synthesis of philosophy, religion, and science. The Cubist formal structure of this work, which brings together intersecting aspects of color, light, and mysticism, was inspired by the stained-glass windows of the Notre-Dame cathedrals in Paris and Chartres, France.

Provenance

The artist; sold through Richard Feigen Gallery, Chicago to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Randall Shapiro, about 1957–58 [Kunsthaus Zürich 1976; letter from Richard Feigen, Apr. 12, 2001, in curatorial file]; given to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1984.

Reminiscence of a Cathedral

František Kupka

1920/23

Accession Number

109529

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

149.9 × 94 cm (59 × 37 in.)

Classification

oil on canvas

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Shapiro