
Reminiscence of a Cathedral
<p>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.</p>
Catalogue
- Year
- 1920
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- 149.9 × 94 cm (59 × 37 in.)
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Artist
- František Kupka
Artist

Painting
František Kupka was a Czech painter and illustrator who moved from realism to abstract art, pioneering Orphism.
Full artist profile →More
More by František Kupka
An Absolute (Une Absolue) from Art of Today, Masters of Abstract Art (Art d'aujourd'hui, maîtres de l'art abstrait), Album I
1953 · One from a portfolio of sixteen screenprint reproductions
Replica of Fugue in Two Colors: Amorpha, 1912
1946 · Gouache, ink, and pencil on paper
Replica (1946) of Vertical Planes
1946 · Watercolor, gouache, and pencil on paper
Untitled
1928 · Gouache, watercolor, and pencil on paper
Untitled
1925 · Colored pencil, pencil, ink, and oil on paper
Number 4
1920 · Etching
Record
Verified by WattsOS- Artist
- František Kupka
- Year
- 1920
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- 149.9 × 94 cm (59 × 37 in.)
- Watts ID
- WW-1920-013694
Source
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Source
- aic
- Reference
- View at source
- Status
- verified





