Mondrian

Posted on by mcohen15

On the opposite end of the spectrum from the Dutch Baroque, is Piet Mondrian, the father of de Stijl a non-objective artistic style.  He was born in Amersfort, about a 30 minutes train ride from Bussum.  It was a lovely quiet town to stroll around and we enjoyed the visit to Mondrian’s birthplace.  Mondrian moved to Paris where he was greatly influenced by Picasso, Duchamp, and Leger among others.  He immigrated to the US in 1938 when he feared that things would go quite badly for artists in Europe under Nazi rule. While it doesn’t exactly fit with the subject here I’m including a photo of Rembrandt’s house that I neglected to send in the last post.

Rembrandt's house in the center of Amsterdam. The building shows the extensive costume collection that Rembrandt used on his models and the museum next door specializes in drawings and prints.
Rembrandt’s house in the center of Amsterdam. The building shows the extensive costume collection that Rembrandt used on his models and the museum next door specializes in drawings and prints.
The center of Amersfort, the birthplace of Mondrian. Canals and narrow tall houses as usual.
The center of Amersfort, the birthplace of Mondrian. Canals and narrow tall houses as usual.
The church in Amersfort is from the Romanesque period and is well known because it is located in the exact center of Holland.
The church in Amersfort is from the Romanesque period and is well known because it is located in the exact center of Holland.
The cost to the Netherlands during World War II was in loss of life rather than loss of property with the exception of Rotterdam which was leveled by bombs. This building was built in 1445.
The cost to the Netherlands during World War II was in loss of life rather than loss of property with the exception of Rotterdam which was leveled by bombs. This building was built in 1445.
These old windows are magnificent examples of old glass that is a bit mottled.
These old windows are magnificent examples of old glass that is a bit mottled.
Piet Mondrian's home, a very interesting place to learn about this artist's life. Most of his art is in museums around the world.
Piet Mondrian’s home, a very interesting place to learn about this artist’s life. Most of his art is in museums around the world. This building looks like a school because it was.  His father was a schoolmaster and the family lived in the school.
There was a small show of early drawings and paintings. You can see that Mondrian started in a very traditional manner but you can see how his early work morphed into his later constructivist works.
There was a small show of early drawings and paintings. You can see that Mondrian started in a very traditional manner but you can see how his early work morphed into his later constructivist works.
An early Mondrian landscape, very much in the Impressionist mode. The museum had a video that showed early works actually morphing into later works.
An early Mondrian landscape painting, very much in the Impressionist mode. The museum had a video that showed early works actually morphing into later works.
Mondrian's Paris studio recreated in the museum. It was complete with the man himself (video on the wall). Pamela and Mondrian got into a deep conversation.
Mondrian’s Paris studio recreated in the museum. It was complete with the man himself (video projected on the wall). Pamela and Mondrian got into a deep conversation.

 

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