Piet Mondrian’s deceptively simple, yet colossal, impact using minimal black lines and balanced blocks of color became his signature style. Deemed “Neoplasticism,” it was a style based on the pure colors and straight lines underlying the visible world. Originally painting calm landscapes, Mondrian (1872 – 1944) adopted a Cubist style, moving through seminaturalism and abstraction to arrive at a style of vertical and horizontal brushstrokes. He reduced his palette to flat, primary colors, and straight lines and angles that echoed the canvas’ surface. One of the 20th century’s most influential artists, Mondrian also profoundly affected architecture, industrial design and graphic arts.

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