Pieter Cornelis Mondriaan (7 March 1872 – 1 February 1944), was a Dutch painter and art theoretician who is regarded as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. He is known for being one of the pioneers of 20th-century abstract art, as he changed his artistic direction from figurative painting to an increasingly abstract style, until he reached a point where his artistic vocabulary was reduced to simple geometric elements.
Mondrian's art was highly utopian and was concerned with a search for universal values and aesthetics. He proclaimed in 1914: "Art is higher than reality and has no direct relation to reality. To approach the spiritual in art, one will make as little use as possible of reality, because reality is opposed to the spiritual. We find ourselves in the presence of an abstract art. Art should be above reality, otherwise it would have no value for man." His art, however, always remained rooted in nature.
He was a contributor to the De Stijl art movement and group, which he co-founded with Theo van Doesburg. He evolved a non-representational form which he termed Neoplasticism. This was the new 'pure plastic art' which he believed was necessary in order to create 'universal beauty'. To express this, Mondrian eventually decided to limit his formal vocabulary to the three primary colors (red, blue and yellow), the three primary values (black, white and gray) and the two primary directions (horizontal and vertical). Mondrian's arrival in Paris from the Netherlands in 1911 marked the beginning of a period of profound change. He encountered experiments in Cubism and with the intent of integrating himself within the Parisian avant-garde removed an 'a' from the Dutch spelling of his name (Mondriaan).
Mondrian's work had an enormous influence on 20th century art, influencing not only the course of abstract painting and numerous major styles and art movements (e.g. Color Field painting, Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism), but also fields outside the domain of painting, such as design, architecture and fashion. Design historian Stephen Bayley said: "Mondrian has come to mean Modernism. His name and his work sum up the High Modernist ideal. I don't like the word 'iconic', so let's say that he's become totemic – a totem for everything Modernism set out to be."
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Some of their strengths
Piet Mondrian has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Innovative, Imaginative, Analytical, Intelligent, Practical, Creative, and Kind.
Soulful and Understanding
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Piet Mondrian is someone who is a soulful, understanding, and conscious person, who combines smarts with a deep talent for creativity and imagination. A person who looks for jobs that tend to reflect their identity.
Adaptable and Versatile
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Piet Mondrian well know them as someone who can be adaptable, flexible, and polite, like a flower or a sapling.
Altruistic and Innovative
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Piet Mondrian as someone who is altruistic, inventive, energetic, and socially-conscious.
Who is inventive, open-minded and inquisitive, optimistic and cooperative, and who loves working together with others.
Inquisitive and Progressive
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Piet Mondrian is someone who is an eternal student who is always interested in learning new things, and who has a desire to shake things up and change things.
They are also someone who is patient, assertive, and who is a natural leader that likes to help others in need.
Creative and Imaginative
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Piet Mondrian tends to be someone who is sensitive, imaginative, creative, and somewhat of a dreamer. Who is intuitive and compassionate, and who has a friendly, easygoing, calming and relaxing effect on people and for whom friends and family mean the world.
Some of Piet Mondrian's challenges
While Piet Mondrian has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Piet Mondrian can be Indecisive, Unrealistic, Rebellious, Emotionally Distant, Anxious, Inflexible, and Arrogant.
Indecisive and Unrealistic
One of Piet Mondrian's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as indecisive and unrealistic.
Anxious and Inflexible
Piet Mondrian is someone who can be high-strung, impatient, and inflexible, who can be "penny wise and pound foolish", have poor listening skills, and who can be intolerant of people who share a different world view.
Lethargic and Unrealistic
Finally, Piet Mondrian also can be too soft, lazy and lethargic, and who can have difficulty finding others who share a similarly dreamy outlook on life.
