Here’s another designer that I love, love, love... Piet Mondrian, the ‘king’ of abstract art. Mondrian remains an iconic figure in the art world and is more popular than ever today - with his art selling for millions (and millions!) of dollars.
If you think you don’t know Piet Mondrian, let me tell you that you probably do – his paintings anyway. Think bold and bright blocks of primary colours - red, yellow, and blue - separated by thick black lines on white backgrounds. The essence of retro.
Sound familiar now?
Read on to learn more about Mondrian, including what those square blocks of colour really mean and how you can add touches of his artistic genius to your life...
Who Was Piet Mondrian?
Let’s start with the basics.
Piet Mondrian (1872-1944) was a Dutch painter and one of the most influential figures in the development of abstract art in the 20th century. And that's not an exaggeration.
He was known for pioneering the Neoplastic or De Stijl movement in the Netherlands. The idea was to create art that was free from constraints. Pure abstract compositions using geometric forms.
What Style of Art is Piet Mondrian Known For?
Mondrian’s personal signature style, which emerged within the De Stijl movement, became known as Neoplasticism: a style characterised by grids of squares and rectangles with primary colours and black lines on white backgrounds. What does it represent?
Simplicity. Balance. Harmony.
Why did Piet Mondrian Paint Squares of Colour?
Piet Mondrian’s compositions are not random – and they symbolise a lot more than most people realise. In fact, those simple squares of colour represent several interconnecting artistic and philosophical ideals….
The grid structure symbolises the modern industrialised world with its emphasis on order and precision.
His primary colours – red, yellow, and blue – represent purity.
His compositions are carefully arranged to create visual harmony, mimicking the unity a spiritual Mondrian believed to be present in the universe.
Indeed, he intended viewers to contemplate the interplay of shapes, colours and lines while musing on the inherent harmony of the universe.
Fairly deep for some pretty colour blocks, eh?!
To me, there is something very calming about Mondrian’s work and it’s probably because of that very order and purity.
So Why Was Piet Mondrian So Important?
It’s fair to say that Piet Mondrian was a significant figure in the history of 20th-century art, with his contributions leaving an indelible mark on the course of modern art and design. He has been described as a ‘first-generation pioneer of abstract art’, his work a radical departure from traditional representational art.
He paved the way for the abstract art movements that came after him.
Why Is Piet Mondrian STILL So Popular Today?
Piet Mondrian’s designs are hugely popular today and with good reason. He has a universal appeal - his work transcends cultural boundaries and language barriers, allowing a global audience to appreciate his work. He has a timeless aesthetic. The simplicity and elegance of Mondrian's compositions continue to resonate with contemporary sensibilities. His work has a timeless quality that effortlessly fits into modern spaces. Indeed, Mondrian's influence extends beyond the realm of fine art. His ideas have been applied in architecture, urban planning, interior design, and fashion. His concepts of simplicity, balance, and harmony have been integrated into various aspects of modern life.
Little-Known Facts About Piet Mondrian
Early Career in Realism: Before embracing abstraction, Mondrian had a background in naturalistic painting. He initially painted landscapes and portraits in a traditional style, which makes his later transition to abstraction all the more remarkable.
New York City's Influence: In the early 1940s, Mondrian moved to New York City, where he experienced a significant shift in his work. The bustling cityscape and urban architecture influenced his famous "Broadway Boogie Woogie" series, characterised by dynamic geometric patterns and bold use of primary colours.
Record Breaking: The most expensive Piet Mondrian painting went for just under a staggering $51million at auction in 2016.
'I Paint Modern': Dutch painter Piet Mondrian reduced his name from Pieter Cornelius Mondriaan to Mondrian, losing the extra A. By doing so he turned his name into a very apt anagram – ‘I Paint Modern’.
How to Add Piet Mondrian to Your Life
For those of us who haven’t got a spare $50 million lying around to buy a Piet Mondrian original, we’re going to have to be a bit more creative.
That’s where quality reproductions come in. The good news is that the clean lines and bold colours of Mondrian's art are easily adaptable to various mediums. Vintage reproductions of his work and products featuring his prints, such as fashion items and home decor, add a retro punch to any setting. Whether in the form of a vintage print on a canvas or a fashionable accessory, his art makes a statement.
His designs continue to be celebrated through vintage reproductions and vintage-style products, adding a touch of retro chic to contemporary decor and fashion.
As we embrace his iconic grids and primary colours, we pay homage to an artist who dared to redefine the boundaries of artistic expression.
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