The Uniting Power of De Stijl
Amidst the tumultuous era of World War I, Piet Mondrian returned to his homeland, finding solace in a coterie of avant-garde artists led by the visionary Theo van Doesburg. In 1917, their shared passion birthed the De Stijl movement, which advocated for a return to simplicity, harmony, and order in art, architecture, and design.
With an uniting commitment, De Stijl embraced Mondrian’s devolution to minimalism, distilling forms to their purest essence, and limiting them to a select palette of primary hues, black, and white.
Among the pantheon of Mondrian’s works, ‘Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow’ (1930) is perhaps the most noted example the De Stijl aesthetic. This work, alongside his other compositions, exemplified his belief in the balance between opposing forces and the inherent harmony of the universe.
As Mondrian’s reputation flourished in his community, he returned to the enchanting milieu of Paris in 1919, where he meticulously refined his signature style. Although met with initial skepticism, the art world ultimately embraced his revolutionary ideas, cementing his place as a visionary luminary within the realm of modern art.
Birth of Boogie-Woogie
In 1938, with the rise of fascism and threat of World War II looming, Mondrian relocated to London, and then in 1940, moved to New York City. The energy and rhythm of the bustling metropolis captivated him, and he quickly became enamoured with the city’s thriving jazz scene. The syncopated beat of boogie-woogie music inspired Mondrian to create a new series of paintings, which he called his ‘New York City’ series.
One of his most famous works from this period is ‘Broadway Boogie Woogie’ (1942-43), a vibrant, dynamic composition that captures the energy and movement of New York City. Through the placement of small, rectangular blocks of colour in a grid-like pattern, Mondrian depicts the city’s bustling streets and towering structures. The vibrant interplay of primary colours pulsates with the lively rhythm of boogie-woogie music, encapsulating the spirit and energy of the urban landscape.
