Composition No. 10 (1939-1942) by Piet Mondrian

Composition No. 10 - Piet Mondrian - 1939-1942

Artwork Information

TitleComposition No. 10
ArtistPiet Mondrian
Date1939-1942
MediumOil On Canvas
Dimensions31 1/2 x 28 3/4 in. (80 x 73 cm)
Current LocationPrivate Collection

About Composition No. 10

Piet Mondrian’s Composition No. 10 is a non-representational, geometric painting characterized by an interlocking grid made of black lines and primary colors. The artwork has loose dating around the years 1939-1942, which places it in the neoplasticist period of Mondrian’s career. Neoplasticism was coined by the artist himself to describe his mature style that used basic combinations of lines and colors.

Mondrian’s Composition No. 10 is an excellent example of his unique geometric approach to painting, using simple forms and bright colors to create harmony and balance on the canvas. This artwork marked a shift in Mondrian’s motifs towards more extensive rectangular formats, and the application of thicker black lines resulted in greater viewer participation when observing its optical effects.

It is worth noting that Pier and Ocean (Composition No. 10) is another title for this artwork that may cause confusion since there is another piece bearing this same name created by Mondrian in 1915 as part of his Early Modernist period. Although these two paintings differ significantly both stylistically and conceptually (the earlier work being an oil on canvas piece with no right angles), they share some underlying themes such as asymmetry, movement, rhythm, and balance.

Overall, Piet Mondrian’s Composition No. 10 represents one of his most emblematic artworks from his neoplasticist period due to its revolutionary use of color planes separated by black lines resulting in a successful union between mathematics, abstractionism, aesthetics while actively engaging viewers’ perception through viewing experience.

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