(Pieter Cornelis Mondriaan). (1872-1944). Dutch painter who joined the Theosophical Society (TS) in 1909 and was a member of the Vahana Lodge in Holland. The influence of Mondrian on 20th century design cannot (according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1970, Vol 15, p. 697) be overestimated. It embraces architecture, furniture design, advertising art, and typography.

Mondrian was born on March 7, 1872, at Amersfoort, near Utrecht. After some study of art under the guidance of his father, Mondrian moved to Amsterdam to enter the Academy of Fine Arts.

Mondrian believed that his art was an expression of spiritual life and it is possible that his unique style as a non-objective painter owed much to his early exposure to theosophical idealism. His work is to be found in collections throughout the world and in particular at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, USA.

P.S.H.

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