De Stijl

The De Stijl art movement, founded in 1917 by Theo van Doesburg, emerged as a reaction to World War I, seeking a universal visual language. Influenced by Cubism and the abstract theories of Piet Mondrian, De Stijl promoted an aesthetic of straight lines and primary colors. Mondrian, along with Gerrit Rietveld and Bart van der Leck, were the main exponents of the movement. This geometric and minimalist approach aimed to reflect spiritual harmony and order, moving away from naturalistic representation. De Stijl significantly influenced the Bauhaus and modern design, permeating both architecture and applied arts. Its legacy endures in contemporary design, highlighting the importance of simplicity and functionality in artistic creation. Additionally, movements like Constructivism and Minimalism found in De Stijl a key source of inspiration for their development. The relationship between art and science in De Stijl is reflected in its mathematical rigor and quest for formal perfection. Despite its apparent simplicity, De Stijl's works are complex in structure, revealing a deep understanding of color theory and spatial composition.