Over the last 15 years we have published three times about the fabulous avant garde designs of Sonia Delaunay; in 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2015. So is today's fifth publication perhaps somewhat superfluous? Not! We'll never find the proof that our publications are inspiring but fact is that coming weekend a unique hommage to the work of Sonia will drive up to the PreWarCar stand at Concours d'Elegance Paleis Het Loo. We'll give you a hint how the 'Sonia' will look like, and how much hard work was involved. All done by designer Bernadette Ramaekers, who started with making a model presentation making use of an orginal tin toy version of the B12 Coupe. But sorry no more than that, to keep a surprise for the visitors. Can't make it to the Concours this weekend? In the near future the Citroën 'Delaunay' will find its destination in the Mullin Automotive Museum in California.
EARLIER 2015 TEXT:
When we last visited Sonia Delaunay it was to introduce her painting 'Hommage à Blériot' and we are pleased to see her name again as the subject of an exhibition at London's Tate Modern where they are holding retrospectives to five under-sung female artists. Delaunay spent two years working on three large murals for the 1937 Paris International Exhibition of Arts and Technology in Modern Life - Propeller, engine & instrument panel.
Many will have seen the picture of the Delaunay Citroen with two fur-clad ladies ( SD at the wheel?) but we believe this image shows the artist herself beside a more sumptuous car, and here is the same car with more Delaunay-fashioned ladies. We believe it may be the artist's Talbot - can you confirm?
(Text Robin Batchelor)