ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Piet Mondrian's Evolution from Landscape to Abstract Art

artist · 2026-07-27

Piet Mondrian (1872–1944) stands out as a pivotal figure in modern art, celebrated for his distinctive use of black lines alongside vibrant blocks of red, blue, yellow, and white. His artistic journey spanned four decades, beginning with naturalistic observations. His early pieces, such as 'Farm along the River Gein' (1900) and 'Farmhouse and Irrigation Ditch' (1900), showcase Dutch landscapes. From 1908 to 1912, he focused on trees, producing works like 'The Red Tree' (1908), 'The Gray Tree' (1911), and 'Flowering Apple Tree' (1912). The 1910s saw the creation of 'Composition No. XI' (1913) and 'Pier and Ocean' (1915). In the 1920s and 30s, he advanced Neoplasticism with 'Composition No. III' (1929). After relocating to New York, he completed 'Broadway Boogie Woogie' (1942–43) and 'Victory Boogie Woogie' (1944), marking a significant evolution in his style.

Key facts

  • Piet Mondrian lived from 1872 to 1944
  • Early works include 'Farm along the River Gein' (1900) and 'Farmhouse and Irrigation Ditch' (1900)
  • Tree series: 'The Red Tree' (1908), 'The Gray Tree' (1911), 'Flowering Apple Tree' (1912)
  • He helped found the De Stijl movement
  • Neoplasticism used only horizontal and vertical lines and primary colors
  • Key works: 'Composition No. III' (1929), 'Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow' (1930)
  • Moved to New York during WWII
  • 'Broadway Boogie Woogie' (1942–43) reflects Manhattan and boogie-woogie music
  • 'Victory Boogie Woogie' (1944) remained unfinished due to his death

Entities

Artists

  • Piet Mondrian

Institutions

  • De Stijl
  • ArteRef

Locations

  • Netherlands
  • New York
  • Manhattan

Sources