Composition II (Still Life) - Theo van Doesburg

Theo van Doesburg's 'Composition II (Still Life)' is an early abstract work from 1916. Geometric forms and a limited colour palette define this exploration of a still life subject, showcasing the artist's move towards pure abstraction.

Theo van Doesburg, born Christiaan Emil Marie Küpper, was a Dutch artist, architect, and theorist. He is best known as the founder and leading figure of De Stijl, a Dutch artistic movement that advocated pure abstraction and universality through a reduction to the essentials of form and colour; he simplified visual compositions to vertical and horizontal directions, and used only primary colours along with black and white. Van Doesburg sought a total integration of art, architecture, and design, aiming to create a harmonious environment that reflected the modern age. 'Composition II (Still Life)' exemplifies van Doesburg's early exploration of abstraction. Painted in 1916, the work presents a still life subject reduced to geometric forms and a limited colour palette. Circles, triangles, and rectangles interlock and overlap, creating a dynamic yet balanced composition. The colours, predominantly shades of green, red, orange, and black, are applied in flat planes, further emphasising the painting's abstract nature. The brushstrokes are visible, adding a tactile quality to the work. This piece demonstrates van Doesburg's move away from representational art towards a more conceptual and geometric approach, which would become a hallmark of the De Stijl movement.