Piet Mondrian wrote, “I wish to approach truth as closely as is possible, and therefore I abstract everything until I arrive at the fundamental quality of objects”.
The Dutch movement of De Stijl began around 1917, including other artists like J.J.P. Oud, Robert van ‘t Hoff, Bart van der Leck, Vilmos Huszár, and others.
This is an exemplary artwork providing a visual representation of all the basic elements of art that ultimately communicates the essence, or harmony, inherent in the universe.
Mondrian introduces a square composition within a square frame. It is composed of seven square and rectangular shapes in different sizes and colors divided by thick black outlines.
Mondrian utilizes colors that appear to be positioned asymmetrically. If we look at the large red square to the right , it makes up almost two-thirds of the composition and becomes a large visual focal point.
We notice the brushstrokes and the meticulous precision with which Mondrian applied his paint; there are no overlaps of color and brushstrokes, and it appears as straight and clean as can be.