“Lozenge Composition with Red, Gray, Blue, Yellow, and Black” is a notable artwork by Piet Mondrian, created during 1924 – 1925. This piece is executed in oil on canvas and is an exemplary representation of the Neoplasticism art movement, embodying its abstract genre. Mondrian’s work is characterized by an economy of color and a rigorously abstract approach, wherein form and space are reduced to the essentials.
The artwork in question presents a deceptively simple, yet highly sophisticated arrangement of geometric forms. It features a white background upon which a series of black grid lines are overlaid, creating distinct areas that are selectively filled with flat, primary colors; red, blue, yellow, and non-primary colors; gray, and black. Notably, the entire canvas is rotated to sit as a diamond or ‘lozenge’ shape, which contributes to the dynamic tension within the composition. The precise application of color and line by Mondrian creates a sense of balance and harmony, while simultaneously exhibiting a pulsating rhythm through the asymmetrical arrangement of the elements. This deliberate placement reflects Mondrian’s artistic philosophy, where he sought universal aesthetic values through a reduction of form and color.
