Piet Mondrian

This catalogue accompanies the exhibition: Piet Mondriaan: the Amsterdam years 1892-1912 held from 18 February through 15 May in the Gemeentearchief Amsterdam on the occasion of the Mondriaan Year 1994 Robert Welsh, Boudewijn Bakker, Marty Bax with contributions by Peter-Paul de Baar, Tom Brockmeier, Harmen Snel editor: Margriet de Roever Gemeentearchief Amsterdam TOTH Publishers Bussum Piet Mondriaan lived and worked in Amsterdam for 20 years before moving to Paris in 1912. During this time, he slowly but surely found his own way as an artist. Leaving the old city behind, he increasingly explored the countryside along the banks of Amstel and Gein Rivers. Robert P. Welsh, an established Mondriaan expert, has localized and dated hundreds of the artist’s early works. Of the almost 700 works from Mondiraan’s Amsterdam years, more than 60 have been brought together in this volume, providing a clear picture of his artistic development. This publication traces Mondriaan’s quest for subject matter along Amsterdam’s ragged city limits and beyond. He made countless studies and finished works of farms, trees and boats. Factories and windmills were transformed into compositions of lines and planes, idyllic river views became studies in light and color. Many of these works already contain the tentative beginnings of this later renowned, non-figurative style. In addition to topographical research, a thorough investigation has been conducted into Mondriaan’s studios as well as the circles of artists, art-lovers and buyers in which he moved. The result of this study will undoubtedly contribute to a better insight into both Mondriaan’s personality and work.