Piet Mondrian and Symbolism
When people hear the name Piet Mondrian, they often picture the crisp black lines and bright primary colors of De Stijl.
However, Mondrian’s artistic journey began far before Neo-Plasticism, and is rooted in Symbolism, spiritual meaning, and the desire to express the invisible forces behind reality. Understanding the symbolism in Piet Mondrian’s paintings reveals a deeper, more poetic side to an artist many assume is purely geometric.
After all, he quote:
“I recognise that the equilibrium of any particular aspect of nature rests on the equivalence of its opposites.”
Which suggests he treats nature not just as a physical phenomenon, but as a metaphorical or spiritual system of meaning.
What Is Piet Mondrian’s Most Famous Painting Called?
Mondrian’s most iconic and widely recognised painting is Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow (various versions, 1920s–1930s).
This painting has become a global symbol of modern art. The grid, the primary colours, and the elimination of the natural world reflect Mondrian’s search for a universal symbolic language, a visual expression of spiritual harmony.
Some people consider “Broadway Boogie Woogie” (1942–43) his most famous work, which symbolically represents New York’s rhythm, movement, and the energy of jazz.
Both are masterpieces of symbolic abstraction, even though they look far from traditional Symbolist imagery.
Piet Mondrian Art Style (and Its Symbolist Origins)
Although Mondrian is best known for De Stijl and Neo-Plasticism, his style evolved through several symbolic phases:
Dutch Symbolism (1890s–1910s)
Dark forests, glowing trees, windmills, and spiritual landscapes
Influenced by Theosophy, mysticism, and philosophical Symbolist thought
Paintings like “The Red Tree” and “Evening; Red Tree” express inner emotion through distorted, glowing forms
Cubist-Symbolist Fusion (1911–1914)
After encountering Cubism in Paris
He used fragmentation symbolically to break down the material world
Works like “The Gray Tree” and “Flowering Apple Tree” reveal spiritual symbolism through structure and rhythm
Neo-Plasticism (1917–1944)
Flat grids, primary colours, black lines
A symbolic language of universal balance
Represents harmony, purity, and spiritual equilibrium
More symbolic than decorative
Even at his most abstract, Mondrian’s art remained deeply symbolic, seeking unity, balance, and the spiritual essence behind appearances.
Why Mondrians Symbolism Resonates
Here’s a fun little fact I love sharing about why Piet Mondrian’s symbolism hits us so deeply, even if we don’t know anything about art history, Theosophy, or what “Neo-Plasticism” even means.
It turns out that Mondrian’s obsession with balance, opposites, and clean harmony isn’t just an artistic philosophy, it actually lines up with how our brains make sense of the world.
Seriously.
Cognitive researchers have found that the human mind is naturally drawn to equilibrium. We’re wired to look for balance: between colours, shapes, directions, and even emotional states. So when Mondrian builds a painting out of vertical lines and horizontal lines, or when he plays red against blue, or light against dark, he’s tapping into something incredibly instinctive.
Piet Mondrian’s Artistic Evolution
How to Read Piet Mondrian: A Symbolism-Focused Guide
(Key points at a glance)
Look for opposites working together
Treat primary colours as emotional symbols
Read the grid as a spiritual structure, not decoration
Notice where Mondrian creates tension—and where he resolves it
Keep his Theosophical, mystical background in mind
A More Personal, Human Way to Read Mondrian
When you first stand in front of a Piet Mondrian painting, it’s easy to think:
“Okay… so it’s just rectangles?”
But the real joy of Mondrian is discovering that he wasn’t painting things, it is an exploration of ideas. Once you know what to look for, you start seeing the artwork differently, almost like it’s whispering out its inner logic. It feels purposeful and completely based on intuition instead of restricted guidance and
