Piet Mondrian and Abstract Art
On March 7 we celebrate the birth of one of the greatest modern artists, Piet Mondrian. Born in the Netherlands, he produced abstract paintings that took the world by storm.
What is abstract art:
Art that is abstract does not show things that are recognisable such as people, objects or landscapes. Instead artists use colours, shapes and textures to achieve their effect.
Early career
Mondrian was an art teacher, his father was an artist too. He helped make sets for stage performances in his free time. He copied the master artists works and finally left for Paris leaving home in The Netherlands to pursue his passion – art.
Influenced by the cubist period in Paris, Mondrian started experimenting with form and colour. He arrived at his famous abstract style of art only at the age of 48. The art movement he championed came to be known as ‘De Stjl’ or Neoplasticism.
Mondrian mixed and created his own colours never painting directly out of a tube. He never used a ruler to measure his lines too! He would carefully think and compose the shapes and then paint. His famous works all use the primary colours; red, blue and yellow.
Fleeing Europe
With the onset of the second world war, and Hitlers dislike for his work, Mondrian decided to leave Europe and settle in America. There he discovered Jazz and dancing. He loved fast and energetic dances. He even called one of his abstract paintings Broadway Boogie Woogie named after a popular dance of the time.
Many people are inspired by Mondrians art, in 1966 the famous fashion designer Yves St Laurent designed a line of dresses using his art compositions.
QUIZ
What is the last painting that Mondrian painted? Hint: its named after the theatre district in a city he loved and last lived in.The first 3 correct answers win the latest
Piet Mondrian artkit by Know Your Art.
Create your masterpieces and frame them.
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