Piet Mondrian, a Dutch painter, is renowned for his pioneering role in modern abstract art. Born on March 7, 1872, in Amersfoort, Netherlands, Mondrian transformed from a figurative painter to a pure abstractionist, distilling art to basic geometric elements.

The Early Years and the De Stijl Movement

Mondrian's artistic journey began with traditional Dutch painting. However, his move to Paris in 1911 marked a significant shift towards Cubism and subsequently, Neoplasticism. Alongside Theo van Doesburg, Mondrian co-founded the De Stijl movement, which emphasized 'pure plastic art.' This reductionist approach aimed to embody 'universal beauty' through shapes and primary colors.

Notable Works and Their Significance

• Broadway Boogie Woogie (1943), a seminal Neoplasticism piece, characterized by its interplay of lines and colors, showcasing the De Stijl movement's essence.
• Triangulated Farmhouse Facade with Polder in Blue, an early example of Mondrian's shift towards abstraction, featuring geometric shapes and a limited color palette.
• Windmill in the Gein, a Neoplasticism masterpiece, exemplifying Mondrian's pursuit of universal beauty through simplicity.

Mondrian's Legacy and Influence

Piet Mondrian's work has had a profound impact on modern art, influencing movements like Color Field painting, Abstract Expressionism, and Minimalism. His style epitomized Modernism's ethos, with his canvases embodying the intrinsic beauty of simplicity and purity.

• Explore Mondrian's extensive collection at [https://WahooArt.com/@/Piet Mondrian](https://WahooArt.com/@/Piet%20Mondrian) to delve into his artistic evolution.
• Discover more about Neoplasticism and its influence on modern art through WahooArt's comprehensive resources: [https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/O/A@D3CL2X](https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/O/A@D3CL2X).

Museums and Collections Featuring Mondrian's Work

• Rijksmuseum Kröller-Müller (Netherlands), featuring an extensive collection of Mondrian's paintings, including Broadway Boogie Woogie.
• The Mondrian Collection at the Stedelijk Museum (Amsterdam, Netherlands), showcasing a wide range of his works.

Experience the pioneering spirit of Piet Mondrian's Neoplasticism through WahooArt's museum-quality reproductions and delve into the world of modern abstract art.

**Early Life and Career in the Netherlands (1872-1911)**

Pieter Cornelis Mondriaan, known after 1911 as Piet Mondrian, was a Dutch painter and art theoretician born on March 7, 1872, in Amersfoort, Netherlands. He began his career as a teacher in primary education while practicing painting, initially in the Dutch Impressionist manner of the Hague School.

• His early work, characterized by naturalistic landscapes, can be seen in paintings like The Red Mill and Trees in Moonrise, showcased at the Kunstmuseum Den Haag.
• Mondrian's search for a personal style led him to explore various artistic movements, including pointillism and Fauvism.
• His first exhibition in 1893 marked the beginning of his prolific career.

**The Evolution of Mondrian's Style**

From Figurative to Abstract Mondrian's artistic direction shifted towards an increasingly abstract style, culminating in a non-representational form he termed Neoplasticism. This 'pure plastic art' aimed to create 'universal beauty,' limiting his formal vocabulary to primary colors (red, blue, and yellow), values (black, white, and gray), and directions (horizontal and vertical).

• Examples of this style can be seen in paintings like Composition with Yellow Patch (46 x 46 cm, Neoplasticism, Oil On Canvas).
• Mondrian's work had an enormous influence on 20th-century art, impacting not only abstract painting but also design, architecture, and fashion.

**Legacy and Influence**

Mondrian's legacy extends beyond his own work, influencing major styles and movements like Color Field painting, Abstract Expressionism, and Minimalism. Design historian Stephen Bayley noted that Mondrian has become a totem for everything Modernism set out to be.

• Explore more of Mondrian's work on WahooArt.com.
• Learn about the De Stijl movement and its influence on modern art at Wikipedia.
• Discover other influential artists like Vincent Van Gogh and their impact on the art world.

**Key Works and Exhibitions**

* Piet Mondrian: Apple Blossom (Cubism) (View on WahooArt.com) * Piet Mondrian: Still life with vase of spices II (Cubism) (View on WahooArt.com) * Piet Mondrian: Passionflower (73 x 48 cm, Kunstmuseum Den Haag, Post Impressionism, Watercolor) (View on WahooArt.com)