De Stijl: The Course of a Non-Figurative Style of Art

The Dutch movement emphasized geometric abstraction, primary colors and asymmetry. The style had a significant impact on modern art, architecture and design. Its influence can be seen in the work of artists such as Piet Mondrian and Gerrit Rietveld, as well as in the designs of the Bauhaus school.

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Marcel Breuer's Wassily Chair (1925), one of the most famous products of the Bauhaus School

The Cubist legacy of the early 20th century paved the way for a non-figurative style of art that aimed to achieve universal expression through abstraction. The Neo-Plastic movement, which emerged after World War I, embodied the modern desire for clarity, objectivity, and order. The first Neo-Plastic manifesto, published in the De Stijl magazine in 1918, called for the reduction of art to its purest essence. This meant stripping away all unnecessary detail and ornamentation, leaving only the essential elements of form and color.

The Dutch artist Piet Mondrian was one of the leading figures of the Neo-Plastic movement. He was inspired by the austere idealism of Dutch Protestantism and the theosophy movement, which emphasized the unity of spirituality and science. Mondrian believed that art could play a role in reconciling these two seemingly disparate forces. Neo-Plasticism sought to achieve a pure and rational vision of the world through the use of geometric forms and primary colors. The vertical and horizontal lines that Mondrian used in his paintings were intended to represent the dichotomy between human beings and nature.

Theo van Doesburg, another important figure in the Neo-Plastic movement, argued that the use of diagonal lines could create a more dynamic and expressive form of art. However, Mondrian rejected this idea, believing that the vertical and horizontal lines were essential to the Neo-Plastic aesthetic. The Neo-Plastic movement had a significant impact on modern architecture. The Bauhaus school, founded by Walter Gropius in 1919, was inspired by the principles of Neo-Plasticism. Bauhaus architects believed that buildings should be functional and aesthetically pleasing, and they often used geometric forms and primary colors in their designs.

The Neo-Plastic movement continues to be influential today. Its emphasis on simplicity, clarity, and order resonates with many people who are looking for a sense of balance and harmony in their lives.