De Stijl

The chaos left behind after the First World War led to a desire for harmony and balance. Art responded to that primarily by not being illustrative or narrative in accordance with traditional views of art. On the contrary, this art was to stand entirely separately and be clear, without simulating the real world. From these views emerged the Dutch artists' group De Stijl. Its members strove for a highly simplified geometric abstract style, based around primary colours. They searched for laws of harmony that would apply not only to art but also to life in general. They believed that if harmony was found in daily life, art would no longer have a function. Mondrian believed that art was the medium to reveal that underlying harmony. In his view, art had only a temporary function: "Art is only a substitute as long as the beauty of life is still absent. As life gains in balance, art will gradually disappear".