Houses 1918

Theo van Doesburg's painting titled "Houses" presents a semi-abstract composition rendered with thick brushstrokes in a muted palette. The arrangement of vertical and horizontal blocks of colour hint at architectural forms, creating an impression of urban space. Van Doesburg’s experimentation with abstraction reflects a desire to move beyond mere representation. Here, brushstrokes are visible, and the colour scheme is earthy and architectural. This piece engages with broader modernist concerns about perception and representation. The artist uses a semiotic system of signs in which architectural shapes and their relationships, stand for, rather than depict, houses. The composition, while seemingly simple, destabilizes conventional perspective. The artwork invites us to consider not just what is represented, but how it is represented, challenging fixed meanings and engaging with new ways of thinking about space. Ultimately, the formal qualities of "Houses" function not just aesthetically but also as part of a larger cultural discourse questioning the nature of reality and representation.