“Composition XXII,” executed by Theo van Doesburg in 1922 during his time in Germany, is an exemplary work crafted using oil on canvas. The artwork is a product of the Neoplasticism art movement and resides in the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This abstract piece measures 50 by 50 centimeters, reflecting van Doesburg’s commitment to geometric precision and a reductive aesthetic.
The artwork showcases a rigorously balanced composition of rectangular forms, compartmentalized into different colored sections, primarily in hues of mustard yellow, red, black, white, gray, and blue. Each color block is meticulously aligned, creating a harmonious yet dynamic interaction among the shapes. The use of primary and neutral colors adheres to the principles of Neoplasticism, aspiring to pure abstraction and universality. The work’s overall simplicity and balance convey a sense of order and clarity, emblematic of van Doesburg’s artistic philosophy and the broader De Stijl movement.
