An
artistic movement initially centred in Holland
in 1917, that was formed from more a philosophical
point of view about aesthetics than an influential body of work.
A small group of artists and architects bonded together around a series of
positions stated in the De Stijl manifesto, and a
De Stiji magazine as well as other art philosophy
documents.
The movement revolved around the relationship
the horizontal and the vertical as being the fundamental opposing tendencies of
the earth (opposition), as well as the radiance of rays as they emanate from the
sun (radiance). The point of view went into a color
theory system revolving around the primary colors and their relationship and
symbolic meaning. Yellow is the movement of the
ray, blue is the horizontal line or firmament, and red is the meeting of the two
tendencies. Yellow radiates, blue recedes and red floats.
As the movement gathered momentum the basic
philosophy was translated into painting, drawing,
architecture and furniture design. It was always
very severe in its exclusive use of the limited types of lines and colors,
but incorporated modular concepts, that in themselves would continue to evolve.
As the possibilities of this philosophy were explored it became obvious the
limitations of the point of view with the death of its most charismatic and
enthusiastic member Theo van Doesburg,
the movement lost its members energies towards new concepts and ideas.
Some of the artists and architects involved
in the movement were Piet Mondrian, Theo van
Doesburg, Gerrit Rietveld and Frank Lloyd Wright.
De Stijl Painting Style
Examples Piet Mondrain /
Frank
Lloyd Wright