The Dutch artist Piet Mondrian: A Life in 10 Snippets - Art History School

Piet Mondrian biography: This art history video about the Dutch artist, Piet Mondrian covers his life in 10 fascinating snippets of information. The famous artist Piet Mondrian was one of the pioneers of abstract art. Born in 1872 in The Netherlands, he was the son of an art teacher. Trees fascinated him and he produced many paintings of them. He loved the structure of the branches and this structure had a bearing on his later abstract work. Piet Mondrian loved jazz and was the founder of the De Stijl movement. Eventually, he would develop his famous abstract paintings based on black lines and the three primary colours; red, yellow and blue. One of his most famous paintings was Broadway Boogie Woogie.

Theo van Doesburg, the artist and art critic was his friend, and he  was also influenced in his painting by Theosophy, Cubism and Suprematism.

Piet Mondrian's most famous painting and his last was Broadway Boogie Woogie painted in 1942. This painting combined his love of jazz with his love of order and balance and was also influenced by his time in the USA.
This video is designed for students and those wanting an introduction into art history.

PATRONS: I'd like to thank the following patrons whose support in the making of this video is much appreciated: Martyn Lawrence Clarke-Smith, Richard Chapple, Ivan Gilbert Rappaport, Farida Grewal, Dale Folan, Emily Liss, Nicolae Opris and Vaikunthanathan

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[saffaraffaaa]

My Art History teacher made us watch this video for school for homework. I never thought I'd enjoy doing homework so much

[zwgbmfw]

Wow, for the first time in my life I’m looking at an abstract piece of art and actually appreciate it. Thank you so much

[ginacrusco]

I had no idea what Mondrian's early non-abstract work looks like. Thank you for this revelation!

[cubone]

One thing I truly admire about this video is your consistant insistance on returing to what Peit was actually profiting from within his artistic endevours. This information gives much needed context when digging though all of his life works. Seeing him produce some pieces that didn't quite refect his values makes more sence to me now.

[disteij]

Those gestures!
I NEED to see this man present the weather.

[qbhomepaintsipstudio]

MY 2ND GRADE STUDENTS IN MEMPHIS, TN SAY THAT PIET MONDRIAN'S ART IS THE BEST THING THAT WE HAVE EVER

[Beegee]

I have been to Den Haag and seen Mondrian’s paintings. His love of order and balance are very appealing to me. I am enjoying your videos very much!

[Alecx]

As a Dutch person, it's hilarious to hear the presenter try to pronounce the Dutch names... We're really not angry German kampfcomandants ;-) Bless him for trying tough ;-)

[ryanharris]

The neoplasticism work of Piet Mondeian was probably the first art that I fell in love with. But this is the first time I have seen how he got to this from his early work, through the progression of examples shown. It actually makes purfect sense that the 'compositions' seems to have come from the light shining through tree branches. Thank you for that.

[Picasso_Picante]

Not necessarily one of my favorite painters but I admit he had a huge impact on the abstract boom that was to follow the war. Well done. Thank you.

[canadianhappyinitalytruest]

Also I have daughter who loves the, as she puts it, “organized chaos” of things like vineyards, a flock of birds taking off and… jazz!! I bet she’d love Piet Mondrian work. Thanks for encouraging our love of art!

[DonnaSnyder]

Thanks for expanding your stated audience beyond school students. I am 64 and have followed, read, and observed visual arts since age 10. Nonetheless, I enjoy your videos and learn from them.

[veloman]

Not just an abstract artist but a REAL artist as well. The tree drawings are mind blowing 👍❤️

[sylvainst-pierre]

The world needs more humans like you M. Priestley. Thanks for that Mondrian art life roundup. Now i understand.

[petermccarthy]

Interestingly I find the ‘diamond’ works disorientating and the most minimal the most satisfying. Jazz was changing massively towards his death. I wonder what he felt about it. Brilliant video so thanks again.

[ronitsen]

Watching this vid for my SA for Art and taking note so easy .
Thanks to the Presenter
Love from India

[marco.trevisan]

You and Piet made today's bus commute a joyful activity for me. I'm still amazed about the transition from paintings of realistic trees to the tile-like paintings that made him famous. Something inside me still makes it difficult to accept the latter, but thanks to you I have a much deeper understanding of its meaning. Really, a big thanks.

[fleurdeb]

Mondrian did what we all need to be doing right now, growing, even with tragic wars at home and abroad underway. I would have loved to dance and paint with him as a friend and colleague, and collect his works, both tree and Neoplastic periods. At least there's a chance of doing a little of the third. It's nice to get a glimpse into the thinking behind his works when the artist is no longer with us. Thanks for your hard work and dedication to task, Paul. Greatly appreciated. 💖

[stephenjablonsky]

I shall share this with my students. The length is perfect and the content easily digestible.

[AnnieFuAr]

I’ve been binging your videos this week and I don’t think I’ll be stopping anytime soon. They’re just too good and I’m learning so much!!! 💗