Robert Delaunay was a French painter known for his style called simultaneism or orphism, which was characterized by the use of geometric shapes and bright colors to create abstract compositions. Delaunay played an important role in the development of abstract art in the 20th century, and he was also a precursor of optical and kinetic art. His works often explored themes such as light, movement, and energy, and his style influenced many other artists during his time and up to the present.