Piet Mondrian: Abstract foundations.
Piet Mondrian, New York City, 1942
Piet Mondrian (1872–1944), a Dutch painter, stands as one of the most influential figures in modern art, renowned for his pivotal contributions to abstract art. As a founding member of the De Stijl movement in 1917, Mondrian championed a radical aesthetic rooted in simplicity, geometric precision, and visual harmony, emphasizing the interplay of lines, primary colors, and balanced forms.
Mondrian’s artistic journey began in landscape painting, drawing influence from Dutch Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. His early works often depicted rural, naturalistic scenes. However, exposure to Cubism, particularly the works of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, catalyzed a dramatic evolution in his style. Fascinated by their geometric fragmentation, Mondrian shifted toward abstraction, breaking away from representational art to pursue a universal visual language.
An iconic example of Mondrian’s mature style is Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow (1930), a masterpiece of his Neo-Plasticism and a cornerstone of the De Stijl movement. The composition features a grid of black lines framing rectangles of primary colors and white space, embodying his quest for balance and harmony. By eliminating perspective and depth, Mondrian maintained a flat, two-dimensional surface, reflecting his belief that art should not imitate nature but instead express universal truths through pure abstraction. The minimalist elements—lines, shapes, and colors—are carefully orchestrated to evoke emotional resonance and intellectual clarity.
Piet Mondrian, Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow (1930)
Mondrian’s revolutionary approach has inspired countless artists, architects, and designers. My favorite homage to his work can be seen in the Marina de Albufeira in Portugal’s Algarve region and I just so happen to have grown up there. Designed by Portuguese architect Tomás Taveira, the colorful and distinctive buildings reflect Mondrian’s geometric abstraction and vibrant use of primary colors. Finalized in the early 2000s, this architectural landmark has become a celebrated symbol of modernism, attracting visitors and residents alike.
Marina de Albufeira in Portugal’s Algarve region
The villas of Marina de Albufeira, adorned with mosaics reminiscent of Mondrian’s Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow, celebrate modernism and abstraction while embracing the Algarve region’s lively identity. The bold colors—blue for the ocean, yellow for sunlight, and red for energy—resonate with the marina’s coastal setting, while the grid-like patterns evoke navigation charts and maritime order. Taveira’s vision blurs the boundary between art and architecture, transforming the marina into a dynamic space where buildings become inhabitable works of art.
Each artwork I write about carries a deeper emotional significance for me, far beyond its aesthetic value. Mondrian, in particular, evokes a profound sense of home. As a child, I didn’t fully understand why I lived in what felt like a toylike, abstract town, almost reminiscent of an LSD trip (and no, Mom, I’m not speaking from experience). But when I visited other people’s homes and saw how devoid they were of color, absent of bold geometric shapes and clashing elements, I thought to myself: How boring.
Now, as a young adult with a growing understanding of art, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the work of Mondrian and Taveira. It’s far more than what meets the eye. Yes, I know that sounds cliché, but from my perspective, their art isn’t just a visual experience; its home, and as I grow older I realize how fitting it is to my eccentricity as a human being.
I moved to Paris completely alone this year. When searching for my flat, it became clear to me that I was seeking a refuge: a sanctuary of sterility, black and white marble, and simplicity, far removed from the abstraction and vibrancy of Mondrian. I craved minimalism, a space where I could free my mind. Somehow, the absence of color became synonymous with clarity, though I can’t pinpoint when or why that association took hold.
Yet, as time passed, the melancholy of missing home quietly crept in. All over Paris, I found elements of Mondrian. His presence seemed to follow me: “rue Piet Mondrian”, his work displayed in the window of my favorite bookshop, a woman wearing a jacket patterned with his iconic motif. These encounters felt almost like regardless of being miles away from home, I wasn’t really that far despite the distance.
When I think of Mondrian now, I can almost smell the salty Algarve breeze, feel the sun searing my skin, and recall the scorching asphalt of the marina that would scrape my knees when I tripped while roller skating. Somehow, in the heart of Paris, I found home.
Marina de Albufeira in Portugal’s Algarve region
Taveira’s contribution to contemporary Portuguese architecture extends beyond the marina. His notable projects, including Lisbon’s Amoreiras complex and several major sports stadiums, underscore his significance in shaping modern architectural identity in Portugal. His bold, playful approach, characterized by vibrant colors and geometric forms, pays homage to artistic innovation while creating spaces that are both functional and visually striking.
The synergy between Mondrian’s abstract principles and Taveira’s architectural vision exemplifies how art’s timeless ideals can transcend mediums, inspiring creativity in new and unexpected forms.