The De Stijl movement was a Dutch art and design group active from 1917-1931 that advocated pure abstraction and simplicity in their artwork. The movement was founded by Theo van Doesburg and one of its most famous members was Piet Mondrian. De Stijl artists limited their forms to basic geometric shapes like rectangles and only used primary colors and black and white in their works. Despite criticism at the time, the De Stijl movement had a lasting influence on modern art styles and architecture through its emphasis on simplicity and functional design.

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e Stijl is literally translated as “the The main founder of De Stijl was Theo 28). One of his more famous paintings
style.” It was a Dutch architecture, van Doesburg, who was born August was the Arithmetic Composition, painted
art and design group that was active 30, 1883 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. in oil on canvas in 1930, and measured
from 1917-1931. De Stijl artists advocated pure Doesburg served in the Dutch army, and 39.76 x 39.76in. Despite the criticisms
abstraction and simplicity (Byars 175). The form when he was released from his duties, he faced, when Doesburg died on March
in their artwork was reduced to the rectangle and he married and settled in Leiden, Holland 7, 1931, he left behind a legacy that was
De Sti
other geometric shapes, and colors were limited to and immersed himself in beginning a new revolutionary. The De Stijl movement
Counter-Composition V
artistic movement. Within a couple years, was unlike any other seen before, which By Theo van Doesburg
the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) and black
1924
and white. The De Stijl movement was influenced by his career faced much criticism for the fact was why it was so widely criticized at
architects H.P. Berlage and Frank Lloyd Wright, who that he began omitting many details out the time. It also laid the basis for many
focused on organic architecture (Byars 175). De Stijl of his pieces and therefore creating more of the modern art movement such as
“rejected the decorative excess of Art Nouveau in favor abstract works than the critics had seen some more recent pop art and modern
of a simple, logical style that emphasized construction before. Possibly his most famous work typographic styles.
and function, appropriate for every aspect of modern life” was the color schemes for the ceiling and
(Guggenheim: Collection Online). The artists believed that short walls in the ballroom of the Café One of Doesburg’s famous colleagues
personality should take a backseat in each piece, and that l’Aubette in Strasbourg, France (1926- working together on the De Stijl Counter-Composition XIII
(Contra-Compositie XIII)
the simple abstract design should be at the forefront of the movement was Piet Mondrian. Mondrian By Theo van Doesburg
1925-26.
viewer’s eye. De Stijl is believed to have been formed mainly as was born March 7, 1872 in Amersvoot,
a reaction to the horrors of WWI; they began a quest for a new
art, to forget the past and begin anew with a universal modern
style (ArtLex: Art Dictionary). Fast Facts
Red and Blue chair
Founded by: Born in: Started the Movement:
by Gerrit Rietveld Theo van Doesburg Utrecht, After serving in the Dutch army he settled in
1917
(August 30, 1883 – March 7, 1931) Netherlands Leiden, and started the beginnings of the De Stijl
movement in 1917.

2. —Theo van Doesburg
“A line on its own has almost become a work of art.”
Holland. Despite his father’s wishes, Plastic work included some architecture, by Rietveld: the Rood Blauuwe Stoel (red blue chair) of 1918. Another
Mondrian decided to become an artist furniture, graphics, abstract painting, and famous piece by Rietveld was the Schroder House in Utrecht, built in 1924.
Featured Artist:
in 1892 when he moved to Amsterdam interior decoration. Together, Mondrian and The De Stijl movement had a lasting impact, influencing “painting, decorative
to attend the National Academy of Art. Doesburg began publishing a magazine arts (including furniture design), typography, and architecture” (Guggenheim:
Piet Mondrian
Mondrian faced personal struggles of which provided readers with an overview Collection Online). Possibly the biggest lasting impact the De Stijl movement
March 7, 1872-1944 financial issues in his family. In order for of the De Stijl artists’ beliefs, theories, had was the influence it had on the Bauhaus movement of the 1900’s. With
Born in Amservoot, him to be able to attend the Academy, his visions, and most importantly, their works. the death of its founder, Theo van Doesburg, in 1931, the De Stijl movement
Holland ended, but it’s impact and spirit lives on today in modern art through simple
uncle had to pull some strings. Mondrian In his works, he focused on Mondrian
design.
was looking for an art of clarity and faced harsh criticism while working in
Decided to become
an artist in 1892 when order that would help him to express his the De Stijl movement for omitting many
he moved to Amster-
dam to attend the
beliefs about religion and philosophy. details from his works, creating an abstract
“Curves are so emotional.”
After experiencing some of the cubism feeling. When Mondrian died in 1944 of
National Academy of
movement in Paris, Mondrian joined pneumonia, he left behind a lasting legacy
—Piet Mondrian
Art.
together with Doesburg to work in the De for being one of the greatest painters of
Stijl movement. He liked the idea that their all time. He developed his own style and
art only contained straight lines, plane helped further art into the modern era.
surfaces, rectangles, and primary colors.
In 1920, Mondrian published a manifesto Other popular De Stijl artists of the
“All painting – the
(a public declaration of principles, policies, movement were George Vantongerloo
painting of the
(Belgian artist, 1886-1931), Jacobus
past as well as and intentions) called Neo-Plasticism,
of the present – which he described as the qualities that Johannes P. Oud (architect, 1890-1963),
shows us that its De Stijl artists wanted to convey in their and Gerrit Rietveld (Dutch architect,
essential plastic work. Mondrian said, “All painting – the 1888-1965). Rietveld was on the best
means we are only painting of the past as well as of the known members of the De Stijl movement.
line and color.” Broadway Boogie Woogie Possibly the most famous piece to come
present – shows us that its essential plastic Tableau 2
—Piet Mondrian Piet Mondrian
1944
By Piet Mondrian
means we are only line and color.” His Neo- out of the De Stijl movement was created 1922