The artwork “Gray Tree” by Piet Mondrian, created in 1911, exemplifies the Cubist art movement with its geometrical abstraction and simplified color palette. This oil on canvas measures 79.7 by 109.1 cm and presents a landscape genre, specifically a tree, which is a departure from the usual subjects of cubism. The artwork is housed in the Gemeentemuseum den Haag located in The Hague, Netherlands.
“Gray Tree” showcases an abstract representation of a tree, characterized by the use of monochromatic grays, fractured elements, and a flattened perspective, traits commonly associated with Cubism. Each segment of the tree and the spaces around it is delineated with thick, bold strokes of varying shades of gray. The tree’s branches are simplified into a lattice of geometric lines intersecting and overlapping, creating a dynamic tension within the composition. This artwork reflects Mondrian’s transitional phase as he moved towards pure abstraction, evidenced by the minimal representation of natural detail and the emphasis on the rhythmic pattern created by the branches.
