De Stijl and Neoplasticism
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
De Stijl and Neoplasticism
De Stijl (1917-1931) was a Dutch art movement that focused on pure abstraction (Neoplasticism) to capture the underlying harmony of the universe in art, architecture, and design using geometric forms, primary colors, and straight lines.
The Components
De Stijl (English translation "the style") was the name of the movement and the journal that was founded in 1917. At one point, De Stijl had 100 members and the publication had a circulation of 300 copies. (from wikipedia)
Neoplasticism was the artistic style defined by Piet Mondrian and used by members of the De Stijl movement. The core principles were:
- Pure Abstraction - Elimination of natural forms to express the spiritual and universal in art and design
- Geometry - Use of horizontal and vertical lines, in right angles
- Colors - Use of neutral (black, white, and gray) and primary (red, blue, and yellow) colors only in work
Mission
In 1918, the group produced a manifesto with a desire to connect with universal harmony in their work. They were familiar with theosophical concepts which they promoted to further the mission of the group.[1]
Original Members
Theo van Doesburg (1883 - 1931) — Founder and publisher of De Stijl journal who wrote about art theory synthesizing science and mysticism as well as the fourth dimension.[2]
Piet Mondrian (1872 -1944) — Painter who defined and adhered to Neoplasticism, utilizing gray, white, and primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) in a grid like pattern with black lines. Coined the term Nieuwe Beelding (Neoplasticism) in 1917. He wrote 12 articles about Neoplasticism in painting which were published in De Stijl. He published a book in 1920. Need citation.
Bart van der Leck (1876 - 1958) - Painter and designer focused on color and form. He began his career in stained glass and then moved towards abstraction. When his abstract style started to be based on representational forms, he broke with the group. In 1920, after he left the group, he went back to figurative compositions.[3]
Vilmos Huszar (1884 - 1960) — Hungarian artist and designer who moved to the Netherlands in 1905. He was responsible for the cover design of De Stijl and wrote numerous articles that further defined neoplasticism in De Stijl.[4]
Georges Vantongerloo (1886 - 1965) — Sculptor and painter who adhered to mathematical principles. Conveyed to sculptors the need to visualize the invisible in an article he wrote (Reflexions) for De Stijl. He also published a book, Art and its Future, in which he conducted a mathematical analysis of several Flemish paintings.[5]
- ↑ Theo van Doesburg, Piet Mondrian, Vilmos Huszar, Georges Vantongerloo, Jan Wils, Robert van ‘t Hoff, and Gerrit Rietveld signed the manifesto. See https://www.christies.com/en/stories/collecting-guide-de-stijl-art-movement-fb74945aafd748ffae465f4a08884d83
- ↑ "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 397.}
- ↑ “The Birth of De Stijl, Part II, Bart van der Leck”, Rudolf W. Oxennar, https://www.artforum.com/features/the-birth-of-de-stijl-part-two-bart-van-der-leck-210291/
- ↑ See https://www.museothyssen.org/en/collection/artists/huszar-vilmos
- ↑ Judi Freeman, "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 419.
