De Stijl and Neoplasticism - Revision history

SysopJ at 20:54, 6 February 2026

2026-02-06T20:54:16Z

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	~~UNDER CONSTRUCTION~~		'''De Stijl''' (1917-1931) was a Dutch art movement that focused on pure abstraction (Neoplasticism) to capture the underlying harmony of the universe in art, architecture, and design using geometric forms, primary colors, and straight lines.

	~~De Stijl and Neoplasticism~~

	De Stijl (1917-1931) was a Dutch art movement that focused on pure abstraction (Neoplasticism) to capture the underlying harmony of the universe in art, architecture, and design using geometric forms, primary colors, and straight lines.

	==The Components==		==The Components==
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	</ref>		</ref>

	'''Neoplasticism''' was the artistic style defined by Piet Mondrian and used by members of the De Stijl movement. The core principles were:		'''Neoplasticism''' was the artistic style defined by [[Piet Mondrian]] and used by members of the De Stijl movement. The core principles were:

	* Pure Abstraction - Elimination of natural forms to express the spiritual and universal in art and design		* Pure Abstraction - Elimination of natural forms to express the spiritual and universal in art and design
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	'''Theo van Doesburg''' (1883 - 1931) — Painter, principal founder and publisher of De Stijl journal who wrote about art theory synthesizing science and mysticism as well as the fourth dimension.<ref>"Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 397.}</ref>		'''Theo van Doesburg''' (1883 - 1931) — Painter, principal founder and publisher of De Stijl journal who wrote about art theory synthesizing science and mysticism as well as the fourth dimension.<ref>"Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 397.}</ref>

	'''Piet Mondrian''' (1872 -1944) — Painter who defined and adhered to Neoplasticism, utilizing gray, white, and primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) in a grid like pattern with black lines. Coined the term Nieuwe Beelding (Neoplasticism) in 1917. He wrote 12 articles about Neoplasticism in painting which were published in De Stijl and also published a [https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/mondrian1920/0005/image,info book] in 1920.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Stijl </ref>		'''[[Piet Mondrian]]''' (1872 -1944) — Painter who defined and adhered to Neoplasticism, utilizing gray, white, and primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) in a grid like pattern with black lines. Coined the term Nieuwe Beelding (Neoplasticism) in 1917. He wrote 12 articles about Neoplasticism in painting which were published in De Stijl and also published a [https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/mondrian1920/0005/image,info book] in 1920.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Stijl </ref>

	'''Bart van der Leck''' (1876 - 1958) - Painter and designer focused on color and form. He began his career in stained glass and then moved towards abstraction. When his abstract style started to be based on representational forms, he broke with the group. In 1920, after he left the group, he went back to figurative compositions.<ref>“The Birth of De Stijl, Part II, Bart van der Leck”, Rudolf W. Oxennar, https://www.artforum.com/features/the-birth-of-de-stijl-part-two-bart-van-der-leck-210291/ </ref>		'''Bart van der Leck''' (1876 - 1958) - Painter and designer focused on color and form. He began his career in stained glass and then moved towards abstraction. When his abstract style started to be based on representational forms, he broke with the group. In 1920, after he left the group, he went back to figurative compositions.<ref>“The Birth of De Stijl, Part II, Bart van der Leck”, Rudolf W. Oxennar, https://www.artforum.com/features/the-birth-of-de-stijl-part-two-bart-van-der-leck-210291/ </ref>
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	==Influence of Theosophy==		==Influence of Theosophy==

	There were strong ties between Theosophy and Dutch art from 1890 to 1920. As early as 1895, esoteric concepts of mathematics were being used in certain Dutch artistic/theosophical circles. Two painters, Jacob Bendien and Jan van Deere, are believed to be the first to initiate abstract art in the Netherlands before the de Stijl movement began. Bendien had links to Theosophy, studying with theosophical painter Cornelis Spoor and developing a friendship with Piet Mondrian, writing articles addressing Mondrian’s Neoplastic work which was influenced by Theosophy and rooted in esoteric concepts of mathematics.<ref>"Annunciation of the New Mysticism: Dutch Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Carel Blotkamp, Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 104-105.</ref>		There were strong ties between [[Theosophy]] and Dutch art from 1890 to 1920. As early as 1895, esoteric concepts of mathematics were being used in certain Dutch artistic/theosophical circles. Two painters, Jacob Bendien and Jan van Deere, are believed to be the first to initiate abstract art in the Netherlands before the de Stijl movement began. Bendien had links to Theosophy, studying with theosophical painter Cornelis Spoor and developing a friendship with Piet Mondrian, writing articles addressing Mondrian’s Neoplastic work which was influenced by Theosophy and rooted in esoteric concepts of mathematics.<ref>"Annunciation of the New Mysticism: Dutch Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Carel Blotkamp, Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 104-105.</ref>

	Theo van Doesburg, who was introduced to Theosophy from his first wife, was heavily influenced by the work of Wassily Kandinsky and M.H.J. Schoenmaekers.<ref>"Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 397.</ref> In 1918, he asked Mondrian if Schoenmaekers books had been of any use to him. Mondrian said, “I got everything from the Secret Doctrine (Blavatsky), not from Schoenm., although he says the same things.”<ref>Letter from Mondrian to van Doesburg, n.d., probably May 1918, quoted in Hoek, “Piet Mondrian”, p. 59 as cited in Carel Blotkamp's "Annunciation of the New Mysticism: Dutch Symbolism and Early Abstraction", The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 103</ref> For Mondrian, art was, “…a conduit between the microcosm of earthly existence and the macrocosm of everlasting spiritual existence.”<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 84.</ref>		Theo van Doesburg, who was introduced to Theosophy from his first wife, was heavily influenced by the work of [[Wassily Kandinsky]] and M.H.J. Schoenmaekers.<ref>"Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 397.</ref> In 1918, he asked Mondrian if Schoenmaekers books had been of any use to him. Mondrian said, “I got everything from the Secret Doctrine (Blavatsky), not from Schoenm., although he says the same things.”<ref>Letter from Mondrian to van Doesburg, n.d., probably May 1918, quoted in Hoek, “Piet Mondrian”, p. 59 as cited in Carel Blotkamp's "Annunciation of the New Mysticism: Dutch Symbolism and Early Abstraction", ''The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985'', as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 103.</ref> For Mondrian, art was, “…a conduit between the microcosm of earthly existence and the macrocosm of everlasting spiritual existence.”<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, ''The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985'', as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 84.</ref>

	==Falling Apart==		==Falling Apart==

	Although De Stijl was founded on Neoplasticism as originally defined by Mondrian, the group evolved to encompass other elements as some artists and architects left and others joined. Many of the members had strong feelings about the work of other members and rifts started to develop. For example, on September 5, 1920 Mondrian wrote to van Doesburg complaining that Vantongerloo was going about his work as an "ordinary" Theosophist whereas Oud was steeped in Neoplasticism.<ref>Mondrian: His Life, His Art, His Quest for the Absolute, Nicholas Fox Weber, New York, 2024, Alfred A. Knopf Publisher, p. 226</ref> He would criticize Oud a few months later. In 1924, Mondrian and van Doesburg went their separate ways after van Doesburg started using slanted lines in his work.<ref>Mondrian: His Life, His Art, His Quest for the Absolute, Nicholas Fox Weber, New York, 2024, Alfred A. Knopf Publisher, p. 261</ref>. Theo van Doesburg, who had been the force behind the De Stijl journal, passed away in 1931. The last issue of De Stijl was published in 1932.		Although De Stijl was founded on Neoplasticism as originally defined by Mondrian, the group evolved to encompass other elements as some artists and architects left and others joined. Many of the members had strong feelings about the work of other members and rifts started to develop. For example, on September 5, 1920 Mondrian wrote to van Doesburg complaining that Vantongerloo was going about his work as an "ordinary" Theosophist whereas Oud was steeped in Neoplasticism.<ref>Mondrian: His Life, His Art, His Quest for the Absolute, Nicholas Fox Weber, New York, 2024, Alfred A. Knopf Publisher, p. 226</ref> He would criticize Oud a few months later. In 1924, Mondrian and van Doesburg went their separate ways after van Doesburg started using slanted lines in his work.<ref>''Mondrian: His Life, His Art, His Quest for the Absolute'', Nicholas Fox Weber, New York, 2024, Alfred A. Knopf Publisher, p. 261.</ref>. Theo van Doesburg, who had been the force behind the De Stijl journal, passed away in 1931. The last issue of De Stijl was published in 1932.

	==Gallery==		==Gallery==

Malini Lavappa: /* Additional Resources */

2026-02-05T23:27:41Z

Additional Resources

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:27, 5 February 2026
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	[https://www.kunstmuseum.nl/en/search?search=mondrian Kunstmuseum Hague] has the most extensive Mondrian collection		[https://www.kunstmuseum.nl/en/search?search=mondrian Kunstmuseum Hague] has the most extensive Mondrian collection

	[https://www.stedelijk.nl/en Stedelijk Museum] (Amsterdam) has many works by ~~Reitveld~~ and van Doesburg		[https://www.stedelijk.nl/en Stedelijk Museum] (Amsterdam) has many works by Rietveld and van Doesburg

	[https://www.centraalmuseum.nl/en/our-collection?_gl=1ztftlu_upMQ.._gaMTczMDY0NDIxMC4xNzcwMTM5NDUy_ga_ZGLY9F9KH3*czE3NzAxMzk0NTAkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzAxMzk0NTAkajYwJGwwJGg0NjQ2Nzk0ODc. Central Museum of Utrecht] has the largest Rietveld collection worldwide		[https://www.centraalmuseum.nl/en/our-collection?_gl=1ztftlu_upMQ.._gaMTczMDY0NDIxMC4xNzcwMTM5NDUy_ga_ZGLY9F9KH3*czE3NzAxMzk0NTAkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzAxMzk0NTAkajYwJGwwJGg0NjQ2Nzk0ODc. Central Museum of Utrecht] has the largest Rietveld collection worldwide

	[http://Kröller-Müller%20Museumhttps://krollermuller.nl/en/bart-van-der-leck-en-helene-kroller-muller/info?_gl=11td1i76_upMQ.._gaMTk5MDg0MjEyOS4xNzcwMzMzNzU1_ga_1K7PJHP114*czE3NzAzMzM3NTQkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzAzMzM3NTQkajYwJGwwJGgxNDAxNjcyMTQx Kröller-Müller Museum] has masterpieces by Mondrian, van Doesburg, ~~Ritveld~~, and Van der Leck		[http://Kröller-Müller%20Museumhttps://krollermuller.nl/en/bart-van-der-leck-en-helene-kroller-muller/info?_gl=11td1i76_upMQ.._gaMTk5MDg0MjEyOS4xNzcwMzMzNzU1_ga_1K7PJHP114*czE3NzAzMzM3NTQkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzAzMzM3NTQkajYwJGwwJGgxNDAxNjcyMTQx Kröller-Müller Museum] has masterpieces by Mondrian, van Doesburg, Rietveld, and Van der Leck

Malini Lavappa: /* Additional Resources */

2026-02-05T23:26:35Z

Additional Resources

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:26, 5 February 2026
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	[https://www.centraalmuseum.nl/en/our-collection?_gl=1ztftlu_upMQ.._gaMTczMDY0NDIxMC4xNzcwMTM5NDUy_ga_ZGLY9F9KH3*czE3NzAxMzk0NTAkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzAxMzk0NTAkajYwJGwwJGg0NjQ2Nzk0ODc. Central Museum of Utrecht] has the largest Rietveld collection worldwide		[https://www.centraalmuseum.nl/en/our-collection?_gl=1ztftlu_upMQ.._gaMTczMDY0NDIxMC4xNzcwMTM5NDUy_ga_ZGLY9F9KH3*czE3NzAxMzk0NTAkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzAxMzk0NTAkajYwJGwwJGg0NjQ2Nzk0ODc. Central Museum of Utrecht] has the largest Rietveld collection worldwide

			[http://Kröller-Müller%20Museumhttps://krollermuller.nl/en/bart-van-der-leck-en-helene-kroller-muller/info?_gl=11td1i76_upMQ.._gaMTk5MDg0MjEyOS4xNzcwMzMzNzU1_ga_1K7PJHP114*czE3NzAzMzM3NTQkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzAzMzM3NTQkajYwJGwwJGgxNDAxNjcyMTQx Kröller-Müller Museum] has masterpieces by Mondrian, van Doesburg, Ritveld, and Van der Leck


	'''Videos'''		'''Videos'''

Malini Lavappa: /* Additional Resources */

2026-02-05T23:10:29Z

Additional Resources

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	De Stijl Movement: Art and Architecture Revolution, InSite YouTube channel, June 26, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=swIZI_QUY1g		De Stijl Movement: Art and Architecture Revolution, InSite YouTube channel, June 26, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=swIZI_QUY1g

			De Stijl - Piet Mondrian and Theo van Doesburg, 20th Century, Vivie’s Art World, May 14, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ8GDjoWUfY

	'''Websites'''		'''Websites'''

Malini Lavappa: /* Additional Resources */

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Additional Resources

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:18, 5 February 2026
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	==Additional Resources==		==Additional Resources==

	Museum Collections		'''Museum Collections'''

	[https://www.kunstmuseum.nl/en/search?search=mondrian Kunstmuseum Hague] has the most extensive Mondrian collection		[https://www.kunstmuseum.nl/en/search?search=mondrian Kunstmuseum Hague] has the most extensive Mondrian collection
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	[https://www.centraalmuseum.nl/en/our-collection?_gl=1ztftlu_upMQ.._gaMTczMDY0NDIxMC4xNzcwMTM5NDUy_ga_ZGLY9F9KH3*czE3NzAxMzk0NTAkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzAxMzk0NTAkajYwJGwwJGg0NjQ2Nzk0ODc. Central Museum of Utrecht] has the largest Rietveld collection worldwide		[https://www.centraalmuseum.nl/en/our-collection?_gl=1ztftlu_upMQ.._gaMTczMDY0NDIxMC4xNzcwMTM5NDUy_ga_ZGLY9F9KH3*czE3NzAxMzk0NTAkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzAxMzk0NTAkajYwJGwwJGg0NjQ2Nzk0ODc. Central Museum of Utrecht] has the largest Rietveld collection worldwide

	Videos		'''Videos'''

	De Stijl Movement: Art and Architecture Revolution, InSite YouTube channel, June 26, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=swIZI_QUY1g		De Stijl Movement: Art and Architecture Revolution, InSite YouTube channel, June 26, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=swIZI_QUY1g


	Websites		'''Websites'''

	Museum of Modern Art, https://www.moma.org/collection/terms/de-stijl		Museum of Modern Art, https://www.moma.org/collection/terms/de-stijl

Malini Lavappa at 22:17, 5 February 2026

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	DeStijl1.jpg\| Gerrit Rietveld, Red Blue Chair, 1918-1923, Credit: MoMA, Gift of Philip Johnson		DeStijl1.jpg\| Gerrit Rietveld, Red Blue Chair, 1918-1923, Credit: MoMA, Gift of Philip Johnson
	DeStijl2.jpg\| Georges Vantongerloo, Rapports de volumes, 1919, Source: WikiArt.org		DeStijl2.jpg\| Georges Vantongerloo, Rapports de volumes, 1919, Source: WikiArt.org
			DeStijl3.jpg\| Piet Mondrian, Composition A, 1923, Source: WikiArt.org
			DeStijl4.jpg\| Vilmos Huszar, Composition with Female Figure, 1918, Credit: MoMA, The Riklis Collection of McCrory Corporation
			DeStijl5.jpg\| Theo van Doesburg, Rhythm of a Russian Dance, June 1918, Credit: MoMA, Acquired through the Lillie P. Bliss Bequest (by exchange)
	</gallery>		</gallery>

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	Museum of Modern Art, https://www.moma.org/collection/terms/de-stijl		Museum of Modern Art, https://www.moma.org/collection/terms/de-stijl

			Neoplasticism - Part I, An explanation of Mondrian’s oeuvre by Michael Sciam, https://www.piet-mondrian.eu/introduction/an-overview/a-new-plastic-language/

			Guggenheim New York, https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/movement/de-stijl

			Rietveld-Schroeder House, Architect Gerrit Rietveld, Utrecht, Netherlands, 1924, UNESCO World Heritage Convention, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/965/

	==Notes==		==Notes==

Malini Lavappa at 22:08, 5 February 2026

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	==Gallery==		==Gallery==

	~~Insert Gallery~~		<gallery>
			DeStijl1.jpg\| Gerrit Rietveld, Red Blue Chair, 1918-1923, Credit: MoMA, Gift of Philip Johnson
			DeStijl2.jpg\| Georges Vantongerloo, Rapports de volumes, 1919, Source: WikiArt.org
			</gallery>

	==Additional Resources==		==Additional Resources==

Malini Lavappa at 18:31, 4 February 2026

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	Theo van Doesburg, who was introduced to Theosophy from his first wife, was heavily influenced by the work of Wassily Kandinsky and M.H.J. Schoenmaekers.<ref>"Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 397.</ref> In 1918, he asked Mondrian if Schoenmaekers books had been of any use to him. Mondrian said, “I got everything from the Secret Doctrine (Blavatsky), not from Schoenm., although he says the same things.”<ref>Letter from Mondrian to van Doesburg, n.d., probably May 1918, quoted in Hoek, “Piet Mondrian”, p. 59 as cited in Carel Blotkamp's "Annunciation of the New Mysticism: Dutch Symbolism and Early Abstraction", The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 103</ref> For Mondrian, art was, “…a conduit between the microcosm of earthly existence and the macrocosm of everlasting spiritual existence.”<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 84.</ref>		Theo van Doesburg, who was introduced to Theosophy from his first wife, was heavily influenced by the work of Wassily Kandinsky and M.H.J. Schoenmaekers.<ref>"Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 397.</ref> In 1918, he asked Mondrian if Schoenmaekers books had been of any use to him. Mondrian said, “I got everything from the Secret Doctrine (Blavatsky), not from Schoenm., although he says the same things.”<ref>Letter from Mondrian to van Doesburg, n.d., probably May 1918, quoted in Hoek, “Piet Mondrian”, p. 59 as cited in Carel Blotkamp's "Annunciation of the New Mysticism: Dutch Symbolism and Early Abstraction", The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 103</ref> For Mondrian, art was, “…a conduit between the microcosm of earthly existence and the macrocosm of everlasting spiritual existence.”<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 84.</ref>

	Although De Stijl was founded on Neoplasticism as originally defined by Mondrian, the group evolved to encompass other elements as some artists and architects left and others joined. For example, on September 5, 1920 Mondrian wrote to van Doesburg complaining that Vantongerloo was going about his work as an "ordinary" Theosophist whereas Oud was steeped in Neoplasticism.<ref>Mondrian: His Life, His Art, His Quest for the Absolute, Nicholas Fox Weber, New York, 2024, Alfred A. Knopf Publisher, p. 226</ref> In 1924, Mondrian and van Doesburg went their separate ways after van Doesburg ~~sought to introduce a diagonal line~~ in his work.		==Falling Apart==

			Although De Stijl was founded on Neoplasticism as originally defined by Mondrian, the group evolved to encompass other elements as some artists and architects left and others joined. Many of the members had strong feelings about the work of other members and rifts started to develop. For example, on September 5, 1920 Mondrian wrote to van Doesburg complaining that Vantongerloo was going about his work as an "ordinary" Theosophist whereas Oud was steeped in Neoplasticism.<ref>Mondrian: His Life, His Art, His Quest for the Absolute, Nicholas Fox Weber, New York, 2024, Alfred A. Knopf Publisher, p. 226</ref> He would criticize Oud a few months later. In 1924, Mondrian and van Doesburg went their separate ways after van Doesburg started using slanted lines in his work.<ref>Mondrian: His Life, His Art, His Quest for the Absolute, Nicholas Fox Weber, New York, 2024, Alfred A. Knopf Publisher, p. 261</ref>. Theo van Doesburg, who had been the force behind the De Stijl journal, passed away in 1931. The last issue of De Stijl was published in 1932.

	==Gallery==		==Gallery==

Malini Lavappa at 18:07, 4 February 2026

2026-02-04T18:07:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:07, 4 February 2026
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	Theo van Doesburg, who was introduced to Theosophy from his first wife, was heavily influenced by the work of Wassily Kandinsky and M.H.J. Schoenmaekers.<ref>"Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 397.</ref> In 1918, he asked Mondrian if Schoenmaekers books had been of any use to him. Mondrian said, “I got everything from the Secret Doctrine (Blavatsky), not from Schoenm., although he says the same things.”<ref>Letter from Mondrian to van Doesburg, n.d., probably May 1918, quoted in Hoek, “Piet Mondrian”, p. 59 as cited in Carel Blotkamp's "Annunciation of the New Mysticism: Dutch Symbolism and Early Abstraction", The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 103</ref> For Mondrian, art was, “…a conduit between the microcosm of earthly existence and the macrocosm of everlasting spiritual existence.”<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 84.</ref>		Theo van Doesburg, who was introduced to Theosophy from his first wife, was heavily influenced by the work of Wassily Kandinsky and M.H.J. Schoenmaekers.<ref>"Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 397.</ref> In 1918, he asked Mondrian if Schoenmaekers books had been of any use to him. Mondrian said, “I got everything from the Secret Doctrine (Blavatsky), not from Schoenm., although he says the same things.”<ref>Letter from Mondrian to van Doesburg, n.d., probably May 1918, quoted in Hoek, “Piet Mondrian”, p. 59 as cited in Carel Blotkamp's "Annunciation of the New Mysticism: Dutch Symbolism and Early Abstraction", The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 103</ref> For Mondrian, art was, “…a conduit between the microcosm of earthly existence and the macrocosm of everlasting spiritual existence.”<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 84.</ref>

	Although De Stijl was founded on Neoplasticism as originally defined by Mondrian, the group evolved to encompass other elements as some artists and architects left and ~~other~~ joined. In 1924, Mondrian and van Doesburg went their separate ways after van Doesburg sought to introduce a diagonal line in his work.		Although De Stijl was founded on Neoplasticism as originally defined by Mondrian, the group evolved to encompass other elements as some artists and architects left and others joined. For example, on September 5, 1920 Mondrian wrote to van Doesburg complaining that Vantongerloo was going about his work as an "ordinary" Theosophist whereas Oud was steeped in Neoplasticism.<ref>Mondrian: His Life, His Art, His Quest for the Absolute, Nicholas Fox Weber, New York, 2024, Alfred A. Knopf Publisher, p. 226</ref> In 1924, Mondrian and van Doesburg went their separate ways after van Doesburg sought to introduce a diagonal line in his work.

	==Gallery==		==Gallery==

Malini Lavappa at 17:43, 4 February 2026

2026-02-04T17:43:03Z

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	==The Components==		==The Components==

	'''De Stijl''' (English translation "the style") was the name of the movement and the journal that was founded in 1917. At one point, De Stijl had 100 members and the publication had a circulation of 300 copies. ~~(from~~ wikipedia)		'''De Stijl''' (English translation "the style") was the name of the movement and the journal that was founded in 1917. At one point, De Stijl had 100 members and the publication had a circulation of 300 copies.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Stijl
			</ref>

	'''Neoplasticism''' was the artistic style defined by Piet Mondrian and used by members of the De Stijl movement. The core principles were:		'''Neoplasticism''' was the artistic style defined by Piet Mondrian and used by members of the De Stijl movement. The core principles were:
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	==Original Members==		==Original Members==

	'''Theo van Doesburg''' (1883 - 1931) — ~~Founder~~ and publisher of De Stijl journal who wrote about art theory synthesizing science and mysticism as well as the fourth dimension.<ref>"Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 397.}</ref>		'''Theo van Doesburg''' (1883 - 1931) — Painter, principal founder and publisher of De Stijl journal who wrote about art theory synthesizing science and mysticism as well as the fourth dimension.<ref>"Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 397.}</ref>

	'''Piet Mondrian''' (1872 -1944) — Painter who defined and adhered to Neoplasticism, utilizing gray, white, and primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) in a grid like pattern with black lines. Coined the term Nieuwe Beelding (Neoplasticism) in 1917. He wrote 12 articles about Neoplasticism in painting which were published in De Stijl~~. He~~ published a book in 1920. ~~Need citation.~~		'''Piet Mondrian''' (1872 -1944) — Painter who defined and adhered to Neoplasticism, utilizing gray, white, and primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) in a grid like pattern with black lines. Coined the term Nieuwe Beelding (Neoplasticism) in 1917. He wrote 12 articles about Neoplasticism in painting which were published in De Stijl and also published a [https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/mondrian1920/0005/image,info book] in 1920.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Stijl </ref>

	'''Bart van der Leck''' (1876 - 1958) - Painter and designer focused on color and form. He began his career in stained glass and then moved towards abstraction. When his abstract style started to be based on representational forms, he broke with the group. In 1920, after he left the group, he went back to figurative compositions.<ref>“The Birth of De Stijl, Part II, Bart van der Leck”, Rudolf W. Oxennar, https://www.artforum.com/features/the-birth-of-de-stijl-part-two-bart-van-der-leck-210291/ </ref>		'''Bart van der Leck''' (1876 - 1958) - Painter and designer focused on color and form. He began his career in stained glass and then moved towards abstraction. When his abstract style started to be based on representational forms, he broke with the group. In 1920, after he left the group, he went back to figurative compositions.<ref>“The Birth of De Stijl, Part II, Bart van der Leck”, Rudolf W. Oxennar, https://www.artforum.com/features/the-birth-of-de-stijl-part-two-bart-van-der-leck-210291/ </ref>
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	==Later Members==		==Later Members==

	'''Marlow Moss''' (1889-1958) - British painter and sculptor who met Mondrian in Paris in 1929. He invited her to join the abstract creation group which included Vantongerloo and van Doesburg. Her geometric art was rooted in mathematics similar to Vantongerloo.<ref>See https://www.christies.com/en/stories/collecting-guide-de-stijl-art-movement-fb74945aafd748ffae465f4a08884d83		'''Marlow Moss''' (1889-1958) - British painter and sculptor who met Mondrian in Paris in 1929. He invited her to join the abstract creation group which included other artists such as Vantongerloo and van Doesburg. Her geometric art was rooted in mathematics similar to Vantongerloo.<ref>See https://www.christies.com/en/stories/collecting-guide-de-stijl-art-movement-fb74945aafd748ffae465f4a08884d83
	</ref>		</ref>

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	There were strong ties between Theosophy and Dutch art from 1890 to 1920. As early as 1895, esoteric concepts of mathematics were being used in certain Dutch artistic/theosophical circles. Two painters, Jacob Bendien and Jan van Deere, are believed to be the first to initiate abstract art in the Netherlands before the de Stijl movement began. Bendien had links to Theosophy, studying with theosophical painter Cornelis Spoor and developing a friendship with Piet Mondrian, writing articles addressing Mondrian’s Neoplastic work which was influenced by Theosophy and rooted in esoteric concepts of mathematics.<ref>"Annunciation of the New Mysticism: Dutch Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Carel Blotkamp, Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 104-105.</ref>		There were strong ties between Theosophy and Dutch art from 1890 to 1920. As early as 1895, esoteric concepts of mathematics were being used in certain Dutch artistic/theosophical circles. Two painters, Jacob Bendien and Jan van Deere, are believed to be the first to initiate abstract art in the Netherlands before the de Stijl movement began. Bendien had links to Theosophy, studying with theosophical painter Cornelis Spoor and developing a friendship with Piet Mondrian, writing articles addressing Mondrian’s Neoplastic work which was influenced by Theosophy and rooted in esoteric concepts of mathematics.<ref>"Annunciation of the New Mysticism: Dutch Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Carel Blotkamp, Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 104-105.</ref>

	Theo van Doesburg, who was introduced to Theosophy from his first wife, was heavily influenced by the work of Wassily Kandinsky and M.H.J. Schoenmaekers. In 1918, he asked Mondrian if Schoenmaekers books had been of any use to him. Mondrian said, “I got everything from the Secret Doctrine (Blavatsky), not from Schoenm., although he says the same things.”<ref>Letter from Mondrian to van Doesburg, n.d., probably May 1918, quoted in Hoek, “Piet Mondrian”, p. 59 as cited in Carel Blotkamp's "Annunciation of the New Mysticism: Dutch Symbolism and Early Abstraction", The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 103</ref> For Mondrian, art was, ~~“…also a~~ conduit between the microcosm of earthly existence and the macrocosm of everlasting spiritual existence.”<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 84.</ref>		Theo van Doesburg, who was introduced to Theosophy from his first wife, was heavily influenced by the work of Wassily Kandinsky and M.H.J. Schoenmaekers.<ref>"Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 397.</ref> In 1918, he asked Mondrian if Schoenmaekers books had been of any use to him. Mondrian said, “I got everything from the Secret Doctrine (Blavatsky), not from Schoenm., although he says the same things.”<ref>Letter from Mondrian to van Doesburg, n.d., probably May 1918, quoted in Hoek, “Piet Mondrian”, p. 59 as cited in Carel Blotkamp's "Annunciation of the New Mysticism: Dutch Symbolism and Early Abstraction", The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 103</ref> For Mondrian, art was, “…a conduit between the microcosm of earthly existence and the macrocosm of everlasting spiritual existence.”<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 84.</ref>

			Although De Stijl was founded on Neoplasticism as originally defined by Mondrian, the group evolved to encompass other elements as some artists and architects left and other joined. In 1924, Mondrian and van Doesburg went their separate ways after van Doesburg sought to introduce a diagonal line in his work.

	==Gallery==		==Gallery==