And its influence…

De Stijl

Dazzling Designers

Background

• De Stijl is a Dutch Art & Design movement. It

was founded in 1917

• Roughly translated De Stijl means “the style”

• De Stijl is also the title of a journal that was

published by Theo van Doesburg promoting the

group’s theories

• The other primary members of the group were

architects Gerrit Rietveld and J.J.P. Oud,

alongside painters Piet Mondrian and Bart van

der Leck

• In 1915 Van Doesburg began

meeting the founder members

• Rietveld joined the group in 1918

after its formation

• Also in 1918 Van der Leck left the

group citing “artistic differences”

• In the 1920’s other influences

started playing a role such as

Russian Constructivism, causing

tension between Mondrian and

Van Doesburg

• Van Doesburg died in 1931 and

the group disbanded shortly

afterwards

The Rietveld, Schröder

house is said to be the only

building realised completely

according to the principles

of De Stijl

Key Features

• The idea was to promote complete

simplicity in both colour and form

• As such - black, white, grey, red,

yellow and blue were the only

colours used and shapes were

limited to vertical and horizontal

lines

• Often these lines were placed in planes and layers

that did not intersect, thus allowing individual

elements to exist independently

1919, Rietveld’s

wenge wood

chair

1923, Rietveld’s

Grandfather

chair

Rietveld’s

soldier chair

1918, Gerard Van Der

Groenaken armchair

1980, Cassina advert with

Mondrian-esque chair

1922, graphic by Theo van

Doesberg, Kurt Schwitters

1917, some of the first De

Stijl Magazines

Interior of a kitchen built by

J.J.P Oud and designed by

Mies van der Rohe

1924, Schröder house

designed by Gerrit Thomas

Rietveld

• De Stijl is still seen as typically Dutch, despite the original

plan to create an “international style”

• Various artists & designers have since been influenced by

De Stijl, including Mies van der Rohe, Hemmingway, and

many works on display at the Café De Unie, Rotterdam

• Collections can still be viewed at the Gemeentemusuem at

The Hague and the Amsterdam Stedelijk Museum

• In 2000 now popular rock group the White Stripes adopted

the theme for the album cover of their “De Stijl” release,

which has since become a cult hit

Continuing Influence

1950s, Mondrian style

lino covered walls

Pin badge with Mondrian

style print

1960s, Mondrian style purse

and accessories

Bathroom suite with

Mondrian style tiling

Red or Dead sandals with

Mondrian motif

1980, Mondrian style

women's suit

Additional Information

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_stijl

http://www.lolc.co.uk/