“Composition: Light Color Planes with Grey Contours” is an abstract artwork created by Piet Mondrian in 1919. Using oil on canvas, Mondrian crafted this piece as part of the Neoplasticism movement. The work measures 49 x 49 cm and is housed in the Kunstmuseum Basel, located in Basel, Switzerland.
The artwork itself features a grid-like composition of rectangles and squares. Varying shades of white and grey are applied in each of these geometric shapes, bordered by distinct grey lines that create the visual impression of a network or a mosaic of color blocks. Unlike Mondrian’s later works that commonly feature primary colors alongside black and white, this piece is more subtle with its use of lighter tints and only one actual color, which is grey. The distribution of shapes and the use of color indicate an interest in achieving a harmonious balance and pure abstraction that Mondrian is known for. On the bottom right, you can also see the artist’s initials, “P M”, indicating Piet Mondrian’s signature.
