Mondrian

Piet Mondrian (1872-1944) pursued studies in art at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam, initially focusing on naturalistic landscapes, still lifes, and other subjects utilizing Impressionist techniques.

Towards the end of the first decade of the 20th century, he embarked on a transformative artistic journey, exploring Pointillism and Cubism. In 1912, he made the pivotal decision to relocate to Paris, seeking exposure to the avant-garde movement, particularly after encountering the groundbreaking work of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. However, when World War I erupted, Mondrian found himself in the Netherlands and unable to return to Paris.

During the war years while in the Netherlands, he honed his distinctive Abstract and reductive Neoplastic style. This style was characterized by simplified colors and forms, creating harmonious compositions that evoked a near-spiritual state of being, famously exemplified in his “Compositions.” After the war, Mondrian returned to Paris and collaborated with Theo van Doesburg and other artists to establish the De Stijl group in 1917. This group extended Mondrian’s aesthetic principles to design, sculpture, and architecture.

Mondrian later parted ways with the De Stijl group over a disagreement with van Doesburg regarding the use of diagonal lines in art. He subsequently joined the Abstraction-Création group in 1931. As World War II engulfed Europe, Mondrian moved to London and later to New York. In 1942, he held his inaugural solo exhibition, but unfortunately, he passed away in 1944.

In addition to his prolific artistic output, Mondrian authored several theoretical texts on Neoplasticism throughout his lifetime. His work is held in the collections of esteemed institutions.