De Stijl was a Dutch artistic movement founded in 1917 that aimed to achieve harmony and order through simplifying compositions to horizontal and vertical lines and primary colors. Led by Piet Mondrian and Theo van Doesburg, De Stijl sought to express a universal harmony through abstract art rather than represent reality. They published the journal De Stijl until 1931 to spread their Neo-Plasticist ideas of purity and truth through simplified geometric compositions featuring only primary colors and black and white.

1. De stijl
1917-1931

2. De Stijl – “The Style”
• Dutch artistic movement, founded in Netherlands. Also
known as Neo-Plasticism.
• Founders: Piet Mondrian & Theo van Doesburg.
• Utopian idea of spiritual harmony & order. Simplified
to vertical and horizontal lines.
• Used only primary colors along with black and white.
• Not to reflect reality but rather to express the
harmony that they believed was the law of universe.
• Their works of art helped the public along the path to
truth and purity.

3. De Stijl Magazine First Front Cover.
1917 - Vilmos Huszár
• The group’s monthly journal called
‘De-Stijl’ started in 1917.
• This longing for harmony developed in
the chaotic times of WW1.
• Journal continued to be printed until
1931 when Theo van Doesburg died.

4. Theo van doesburg
1883-1931
• Dutch artist.
• Founder and Leader of De Stijl.
• Complete abstraction of reality in his
paintings.
• He was more flamboyant and extravagant.
• Split up with his colleague, Piet Mondrian in
1924 due to disagreements.
Composition VII- The Three Graces, 1917

5. Theo van doesburg
Simultaneous Counter-Composition 1929 Counter Composition V, 1925.

6. Piet mondrian
1872-1944
• Dutch Painter.
• Important contributor to De Stijl.
• An introvert by nature.
Composition with Grids: Checkerboard Composition
with Light Colors - 1919

7. Piet mondrian
Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow
Neo Plastisicm - 1930

8. Gerrit rietveld
1888-1964
• Dutch furniture designer and architect.
• One of the principal members of De
Stijl.
• Famous for his Red and Blue chair
design.
• The chair was designed for the Rietveld
Schroder House which is a UNESCO world
heritage site.
Red and Blue Chair - 1917