Piet Mondrian

Date of Birth: March 7, 1872

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: February 1, 1944

Biography

Pieter Cornelis “Piet” Mondriaan, known as Piet Mondrian, was a Dutch painter and one of the most significant artists of the 20th century. He was born in Amersfoort, Netherlands, and later became a pioneer of abstract art through his development of a non-representational form known as De Stijl, or “The Style.” Mondrian initially painted in a naturalistic and impressionistic style but gradually evolved towards a more abstract approach, heavily influenced by Cubism. His most famous works feature grids of vertical and horizontal black lines filled with primary colors. Mondrian was deeply influenced by spirituality and theosophy, which played a crucial role in his artistic evolution. He sought to convey universal truths and harmony through his art. In the early 20th century, he moved to Paris, where he was exposed to Cubism and interacted with contemporaries such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. Later, he moved to London and then New York City, where he spent his final years. His work had a profound impact on architecture, design, and fashion, extending his influence beyond the art world.

5 Interesting Facts about Piet Mondrian

1. Piet Mondrian was a co-founder of the De Stijl art movement, which emphasized simplicity and abstraction.

2. He changed the spelling of his name from “Mondriaan” to “Mondrian” after moving to Paris in 1912.

3. Mondrian’s painting “Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow” is considered one of the most iconic works of abstract art.

4. He was deeply influenced by theosophy, a spiritual movement seeking to explore the connections between the divine and human.

5. Mondrian’s work greatly influenced modern design, particularly in architecture and fashion, inspiring notable designers like Yves Saint Laurent.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Piet Mondrian

1. “The position of the artist is humble. He is essentially a channel.”

2. “The truly modern artist is aware of abstraction in an emotion of beauty.”

3. “Art is higher than reality and has no direct relation to reality.”

4. “I wish to approach truth as closely as is possible, and therefore I abstract everything until I arrive at the fundamental quality of objects.”

5. “The natural appearance of things is a hindrance to the transcendental.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Piet Mondrian did not achieve significant financial success during his lifetime. However, posthumously, his works have sold for millions of dollars. His highest net worth peak likely occurred after his death, with individual paintings fetching over $50 million at auction.