MONDRIAN, from figuration to abstraction

Herbert Henkels

Published by The Tokyo Shimbun, softcover, illustrated.

PIET MONDRIAN (1872-1944) was one of the most brilliant pioneers of abstract art, who dared to explore previously unknown realms of spatial expression. But his path to 'pure abstraction', as we know it today, was far from smooth. With numerous illustrations and extracts from Mondrian's own writings, this volume offers vivid insights into his life, work and thought.

HERBERT HENKELS provides an overview of Mondrian's trans­ition from figurative to non-figurative art and recreates the cultural and intellectual background against which Mondrian's career and sense of mission as an artist unfolded. Copiously illustrated with archive photo­graphs of Mondrian, his family, friends and studios, with pages from his sketchbooks and numerous reproductions of his works, the book also includes Mondrian's important essay Plastic Art and Pure Plastic Art, published in the English Constructivist group's book Orde in 1937. The 116 colour plates which form the heart of the volume are accompanied by selected quotations from Mondrian's essay Dialogue and Trialogue of Neo-Plasticism (published in De Stijl, 1918-1920). Three interviews with the artist, an illustrated chronology with excerpts from Mondrian's letters, and a select bibliography complete this handsome volume.
With 380 illustrations, 176 in colour and 5 maps.

Contents

Foreword - H. Overduin
Plastic Art and Pure Art - Piet Mondriaan
At Piet Mondriaan's: three interviews with the artist

Catalogue:
Introduction - Herbert Henkels
Illustrations - catalogue with quotations from Piet Mondrian, dialogue and Trialogue on Neo-Plasticism 1918-1920
Mondrian in Winterswijk - Herbert Henkels
Mondrian in his Studio - Herbert Henkels
Mondrian: a life in pictures 1872 - 1944
Bibliography