A seminal 1913 abstract work by Robert Delaunay, featuring concentric circles that explore the optical effects of colour and light.

Premier Disque, painted in 1913, represents a significant moment in the development of early twentieth-century abstraction. Robert Delaunay moved away from the representational constraints of Cubism, choosing instead to focus on the properties of colour and light. This work is one of the earliest examples of non-figurative art in the Western tradition, composed entirely of concentric circles divided into quadrants. The composition relies on the theory of simultaneous contrast, a concept Delaunay adapted from the scientific writings of Michel Eugène Chevreul. By placing complementary colours side by side, the artist creates a sense of movement and optical vibration. The circular format, or tondo, reinforces the cosmic or solar associations often attributed to his work during this period. The paint application is visible, showing a textured surface that contrasts with the geometric precision of the circular forms. This piece reflects the artist's interest in the rhythm of light and the potential for pure colour to communicate without the need for a subject. The division of the disc into four distinct sections creates a balanced yet dynamic tension. Each ring of colour interacts with its neighbour, shifting the viewer's perception of depth and space. As a foundational work of Orphism, it demonstrates the shift toward a visual language based on the physics of optics rather than the imitation of nature. The work remains a primary example of how early modernists sought to strip away narrative elements to reach the essential components of painting.