Neoplasticism
An art theory that says art should be made only of straight lines, rectangles, and primary colors.
What is it?
Neoplasticism (also called De Stijl) was developed by Piet Mondrian. He believed that art could show the basic structure of the universe by using only horizontal and vertical lines, rectangles, and the colors red, blue, yellow, black, and white. He thought that this simple visual language could express universal harmony. His painting Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow is a famous example.
Why it matters
Neoplasticism was a radical idea that changed art. It showed that abstraction could be just as powerful as realistic art. It also influenced design, architecture, and even furniture.
Where you've seen it
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