Seeing paintings, buildings, and clothing, and being able to identify the art movement that inspired it, is a talent. I don’t have it.

But the travel multiverse led to different experiences in my sacred timeline converging. And I experienced an incursion – a pop culture reality blending with the traveler in me.

I’ve seen elaborate use of geometric shapes and primary colours. None was as striking as the runway look that Kandy Muse wore during the theme “A Night of a Thousand Grace Jones” in Ru Paul’s Drag Race All Stars 8.

I couldn’t answer “Yes” to the receptionist when she asked me if I’ve heard of Mondriaan. But I’ve been touched by his work.

Basic information

The Mondriaan House is in Amersfoort. For people who are unfamiliar with the Netherlands, the municipality is situated in the province of Utrecht. The area is easily accessible by public transport and other attractions (zoo, other museums, restaurants, etc.) are within the vicinity.

The entrance fee is 12 Euros. The Museumkaart saved me from having to pay anything. And as I’ve made clear in a previous post, I am intent on maximising my investment.

Who is Piet Mondrian?

Piet Mondrian is considered an important artist of the 20th century, largely due to his pioneering role in the development of abstract art. He used simple geometric shapes and primary colours.

While I did not know who he was before my visit, I’ve certainly been influenced by his work. This takes me back to how Andy in “The Devil Wears Prada” had no clue that her cerulean sweater was a product of a bigger industry of choices she had no hand or control over.

Mondrian developed the concept of neoplasticism. This theory proposes that art should reflect universal truths through the use of straight lines, right angles, and primary colours. In turn, this conveyed harmony and order, moving away from the chaotic representation of reality.

And I did not know all of that. The research involved in writing this piece helped me learn something new today.

What is in the Mondrian House?

The house where the museum is located is the actual birthplace of Piet Mondrian. While that may sound dated (1872 to be specific), the place has been preserved and transformed. The modernity extends to edgy digital displays and high-tech interactive installations that aid in explaining his artistic process and theories.

His reconstructed studio in Paris is also featured. This gives insight into the environment in which he created some of his most famous works. The architectural structure is French. But the interior design is distinctly Mondrian.

The museum showcases mostly his early works. These weren’t the abstract style he later developed. But they err on the side of naturalistic and figurative. That is one caveat I believe visitors should know beforehand. That doesn’t bother me. But maybe it’s an issue for you?

“Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow” can be found in the Gemeentemuseum in Den Haag. “Broadway Boogie Woogie” is housed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.

There are also temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. They are inspired by Mondrian’s style and philosophy. But on the day of my visit, I wasn’t in the mood for the fleeting.

His relationship with Nazi Germany

The Nazi regime condemned modernist and abstract art as “degenerate”. Many works, including Mondrian’s, were seized from museums and collections. Two of his works were displayed in the 1937 “Degenerate Art” exhibition in Munich.

I never forget that Jews were subjected to persecution but often ignore that other groups were also targeted. This wasn’t theoretical. This was evidenced.

The danger and the war led to his many relocations from Paris to London to New York. And the final destination ultimately led him to move on to a new phase in his artistry. One of his masterpieces, “Broadway Boogie Woogie” was influenced by New York’s dynamic environment.

Many of us travel for pleasure and show little for it. Here’s a guy traveling for his life and making it into art.

Conclusion

For simply being able to put my finger at the source of many images I see in every day life, from clothing to buildings, the ticket is already worth it.

The time I spent was a little over an hour. I grasped the contents that the attraction had to offer without having to rush while sustaining my interest all throughout. That is a win for me.

I’d recommend a visit to both art and non-art enthusiasts. I found the trip quite insightful.