“Composition A,” created in 1923 by artist Piet Mondrian, is an abstract painting executed in oil on canvas. The piece is emblematic of the Neoplasticism movement, characterized by a reduction to the essentials of form and color. The artwork is part of the collection at the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (GNAM) in Rome, Italy.
In this abstract composition, Mondrian employs a grid of black lines to define a series of non-overlapping rectangles and squares. The use of the primary colors red, blue, and yellow, as well as non-colors white and black, is a hallmark of Mondrian’s approach during this period. The result is a balanced, harmonious structure that eschews representation in favor of pure abstraction. While the black lines organize the space into distinct planes, the blocks of color imbue the piece with dynamism despite its underlying orderliness. Through this work, Mondrian expresses his vision for painting that is devoid of naturalistic references and instead achieves a universal aesthetic language.
