Composition of Red and White; Nom 1,Composition No. 4 with red and blue 1938 - 1942

Piet Mondrian, a Dutch artist working in the early to mid-20th century, created this canvas using oil paint to explore geometric abstraction. Mondrian's pursuit of pure abstraction was deeply connected to his spiritual and philosophical beliefs. He was a member of the De Stijl movement, which sought a universal visual language, one free from the weight of individual expression, or even representation. Mondrian believed that art should reflect the underlying harmony and order of the universe, rather than depicting the chaotic and subjective experiences of daily life. You could say he was trying to get behind all the messy stuff of human life. Through his art, Mondrian sought to create a utopian vision of balance and clarity, mirroring a world free from conflict. As he put it, his goal was "to express pure reality." The limited palette and precise arrangement of lines and rectangles invite you to contemplate a world stripped down to its most fundamental elements. What do you feel when you look at this painting? Is it balance? Or is it something else?