Tessellation Appreciation

Piet Mondrian

Although the De Stijl movement was founded in 1917 by Theo Van Doesburg (1883 –1931) in Leiden, Netherlands; it is probably the work of Dutch artist Piet Mondrian (1872 - 1944) who is the most recognised today. De Stijl was influenced by Cubsim and went on to influence Bauhaus.

It might appear at first that Mondrian’s paintings are elementary. In some ways this is true, de stijl or “neoplasticism”, was about the simplification of natural objects such as trees, their deconstruction to their most simplified elements; primary colours, black and white, lines and colour blocking in red, yellow and blue.

Mondrian’s early work, however, clearly demonstrates his talent for the more classical style often associated with the old masters.

Since the early twentieth century, de stijl’s movement has gone on to influence architecture, furniture design and fashion:

A key influencer on art and design today and of course another fine example of irregular multiple tessellation.