The art looks deceptively simple. In fact, it is
constructed around subtle properties of form
and color arranged in dynamic equilibrium, and
it reflects Mondrian’s complex theory. This artist was striving for an expression of complete
harmony; he dreamed of a future in which all
humankind might live in perfect synchronization (universal cosmic order) with the forces of
About the Art
Piet Mondrian pioneered an abstract art of distilled structure based on ideas of harmonic perfection. Mondrian grew up in a small town in
the Netherlands, the son of a school teacher. His
development as an artist was a long search. His
early work—notable for landscapes—is realistic
and somber in character. The art became increasingly abstract even though Mondrian’s subjects
were drawn from the
natural world. Eventu- ally, he developed a The artist was striving for an
style that was com- expression of complete harmony;
pletely abstract, with he dreamed of a future in which all
no links to realistic humankind might live in perfect
motifs. As an adult, Mon- synchronization (universal cosmic
drian lived on and off order) with the forces of the universe.
in the Netherlands and
Paris. In 1938, he relocated to London and eventually to New York, where he died in 1944.
About the Artist
All Levels
Neoplasticism and he wrote about its meaning
in a manifesto. It was first published in Dutch
(1917–1920), and later republished in other languages, including English (1937). He wrote that
a work of art needs to be self-sufficient and not
simply a copy or an illusion of something: “the
task of art is to express a clear vision of reality.”
He used the term “abstract-real” to reinforce the
idea that the art was a real thing, wholly complete in itself, and not derived from nature. For
Mondrian, the artwork’s essential reality would
express the elemental, underlying force of nature.
While the art is not simple, it is fundamen-
tal: a distillation of artistic structure. Mondrian
wanted to “paint the universal.” This art is based
on absolute essence, and the result is exacting,
orderly, and pared down. Compositions are based
on verticals and horizontals intersecting only at
right angles. There are no diagonals. Color, too, is
radically reduced to the fundamentals. Mondrian
said, “I forsook natural
color for pure color.”
Aware of color theory, he
understood that all colors
could be derived from the
three primary hues: red,
blue, and yellow. He also
allowed black, gray, and
white as “non-colors.”
Mondrian called his art
the universe.
Tableau with Large Red Plane, Blue, Black, Light Green and Greyish Blue, 1921
Stella Paul
Piet Mondrian
Looking
and
Jean-Olivier Hucleux. Portrait of Piet Mondrian (after
a photo by Rogi André), 1990. Graphite on paper
mounted on canvas. AM 1991-162. Photo: Philippe
Migeat. Musée National d’Art Moderne, Centre
Georges Pompidou, Paris, France. CNAC/MNAM/Dist.
Réunion des Musées Nationaux / Art Resource, NY.
Learning
