“Composition XVII” is an abstract artwork created in 1919 by Theo van Doesburg, a key figure in the Neoplasticism movement. The artwork, executed with oil on canvas, measures 50 x 50.5 cm and is housed in the Gemeentemuseum den Haag, located in The Hague, Netherlands.
The artwork features a grid of rectangular and square shapes bordered by black lines, creating a geometric pattern characteristic of Neoplasticism. These shapes are rendered in a pastel palette dominated by shades of turquoise, lilac, yellow, and grey. The arrangement of the forms, which do not adhere to a strict symmetry, demonstrates a balance and harmony through the careful distribution of colors and shapes. The deliberate placement of color blocks in the composition emphasizes the abstract nature of the piece, focusing on the interplay of form and color over representational or realistic depiction. The simplicity and clarity of the shapes and the use of primary colors reflect the principles of the De Stijl movement, of which Theo van Doesburg was a prominent proponent.
