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Category:Gelderland

Winterswijk, where Mondrian discovered his passion

These days, the former residence of the Mondrian family in Winterswijk is Museum Villa Mondriaan. Visit the museum to learn about the master’s formative years. Piet Mondrian moved to Winterswijk when he was eight. His father, who was an art teacher, taught him to draw at an early age. Mondrian often took to nature around Winterswijk to learn how to paint. In these surroundings, he found the inspiration for his earlier, realist work.

  • Visit the former residence of the Mondrian family.
  • Discover the surroundings in which Piet Mondrian found inspiration.
  • Experience Museum Villa Mondrian with the free audio tour.
Address:
Zonnebrink 4
7101NC Winterswijk
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Museum Villa Mondrian

In Villa Mondrian in Winterswijk, you will be able to admire the early figurative work of the world-famous artist Piet Mondrian. His search for the universal painting lasted throughout his lifetime, and this early period in his life continued to inspire him. Study Klein Jantje (Portrait of a Little Boy), which dates from 1896, at Villa Mondrian. This early work gives no hint that the young master would eventually become a great innovator in the modern visual arts.

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The Spiritual Path

The exhibition titled The Spiritual Path curated by Benno Tempel, the Director of Kunstmuseum Den Haag, revolves around Mondrian’s religious quest. It lasted throughout his lifetime and impacted virtually all of his works. A great example of master’s changing vision is his portrait of a girl with flowers named Kindje from 1900 – 1901, which you can see as part of the exhibition.

Mondrian was born and raised in a strictly Calvinist family. Later on, the Christian dogma gave way to theosophy. Religion and philosophy had a prominent influence on Mondrian’s abstract style.

Museum Villa Mondrian collaborates closely with Kunstmuseum Den Haag, which has 300 works by Mondrian in its collection. You can view the exhibition and listen to the audio tour recorded by Benno Tempel.

De Stijl in Gelderland

Gelderland boasts a rich wealth of extraordinary natural and cultural treasures. It is the biggest province in Holland. There are art museums in Arnhem, Nijmegen, and Apeldoorn. Winterswijk is located in the eastern part of Gelderland, where Piet Mondrian grew up and discovered his passion for painting.

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Editor’s tip

Want to see more works by Mondrian and De Stijl artists? Visit one of the other De Stijl cities. Discover the world’s biggest Mondrian collection The Hague or track the evolution of De Stijl at the Kröller-Müller Museum.

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